Missing girl located in Chicago after 3-year search; Mother arrested

CHICAGO — A little girl, who was reported missing as an infant over three years ago, was found safe by authorities in Chicago.

In Nov. 2021, a one-year-old girl was reported missing by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), who had custody of the baby at the time, U.S. Marshals said.

DCFS believed the girl was with her biological mother, who was also reported missing. The mother had several warrants for retail theft in Cook County, stolen property in Orange County, California, and robbery in Signal Hill, California.

In Jan. 2025, the Chicago Police Department and U.S. Marshals discovered two possible residences where the mother and baby could have been living — one in Chicago and the other in Blue Island, Illinois.

Authorities say a little girl between the ages of four to five was seen peeking out of a second-floor window of the Chicago address.

On June 3, 2025, officers forced their way into the residence and took the child into custody, returning her to DCFS.

The mother attempted to flee the scene but was taken into custody and arrested for her outstanding warrants.