Hollywood, Florida — A months-long investigation into the disappearance of an infant has taken a dramatic turn after authorities arrested a young couple accused of allowing their baby girl to die through neglect and then allegedly insisting the child never existed.
Police say Alejandro Leon Jr., 21, and Samantha Angelina Feliz, 20, were taken into custody in Rockingham, North Carolina, and are expected to be returned to South Florida to face multiple felony charges, including aggravated manslaughter of a child.
Investigators believe the couple’s infant daughter, identified as Angelina, died in early 2025. Her body has not been located.
Investigation Began After Concerned Relative Contacted Police
According to investigators, the case began in July 2025 when a relative contacted the Hollywood Police Department after realizing he had not seen the baby since February.
Family members reportedly became increasingly concerned after the couple began making disturbing statements suggesting the baby had never existed.
One relative told investigators that during a meeting at a Hollywood park in March 2025, Feliz responded to questions about the child by saying:
“What baby? There is no baby.”
According to the arrest warrant, investigators said Feliz later claimed the baby was a hoax and that the entire pregnancy story had been fabricated to obtain money from family members.
Detectives Say Evidence Contradicts the Couple’s Claims
Despite those statements, investigators say they uncovered substantial evidence indicating the child was real.
Police said family members possessed text messages discussing the pregnancy, while photographs allegedly showed Feliz visibly pregnant.
Authorities also recovered photos and videos that investigators believe show Angelina after her birth, which police say likely occurred at home without an official birth certificate being issued.
The final known photograph of the child, taken on January 5, 2025, allegedly showed the infant in extremely poor condition.
According to the arrest warrant, investigators believe the child appeared visibly ill and malnourished.
“In this final photo, the victim is showing no signs of life,” police stated.
DNA Evidence Became a Key Breakthrough
During the investigation, authorities searched a storage unit believed to have been used by the couple.
Investigators reported finding baby clothing, a positive pregnancy test, a blood-stained towel, notebooks referencing a gender reveal and baby shower, and several electronic devices.
According to the arrest warrant, forensic testing detected blood on some of the recovered items.
DNA analysis allegedly determined that the blood belonged to a biological child of Leon and Feliz, strengthening investigators’ belief that the missing infant was their daughter.
Authorities also deployed cadaver dogs at multiple former residences connected to the couple, but the baby’s remains have not been found.
Couple Faces Multiple Criminal Charges
Investigators say both Leon and Feliz repeatedly denied that Feliz had ever been pregnant.
Police said the couple claimed they invented the pregnancy story to receive sympathy and financial assistance from relatives, with Feliz allegedly stating she had worn a fake pregnancy belly as part of the scheme.
Authorities, however, say the physical evidence gathered during the investigation tells a different story.
The couple now faces charges including:
- Aggravated manslaughter of a child
- Tampering with or fabricating physical evidence
- Failure to report a death to the medical examiner
- Providing false information concerning a missing child
- Making false statements to law enforcement
Investigators continue searching for Angelina’s remains and are asking anyone with information about the case to contact law enforcement.
The allegations described in the charges have not been proven in court, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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