A Florida couple accused in connection with the death of their missing infant has been arrested in North Carolina after authorities say they fled the state while facing multiple felony charges.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Leon Alejandro Jr., 21, and Samantha Angeline Feliz, 20, were taken into custody in Rockingham, North Carolina, on warrants issued in Broward County, Florida. The pair, both from Hollywood, Florida, are being held pending extradition to face the charges.
Couple Faces Multiple Charges
Authorities said both Alejandro and Feliz have each been charged with:
- Aggravated manslaughter of a child
- Tampering with or fabricating physical evidence
- Failure to report a death to the medical examiner’s office
- Providing false information concerning a missing child
- Making false reports to law enforcement during an investigation
The couple is currently being held in the Richmond County Jail without bond on fugitive warrants while awaiting extradition to Florida.
Investigation Began Earlier This Year
The sheriff’s office described the case as a complex investigation that began in early 2025. Investigators said the exact timeline remains unclear, but they believe Feliz gave birth sometime between Dec. 6, 2024, and Jan. 5, 2025.
According to authorities, the birth was allegedly concealed and took place outside of a hospital. Investigators also noted that there is no official birth certificate or medical record documenting the child’s birth.
Family Members Reportedly Saw the Infant
Investigators said relatives saw the couple with the baby during the child’s first month of life.
However, after that, the infant was never seen again.
According to the sheriff’s office, both parents allegedly denied the baby was theirs and told family members that the child “was a prank.”
Charges Filed Despite Lack of Birth Records
Authorities said investigators gathered enough evidence to conclude that the child had been born and later died, despite the absence of official birth documentation or medical records.
Based on those findings, Broward County authorities obtained arrest warrants charging both parents with multiple felony offenses related to the child’s alleged death and the subsequent investigation.
Officials have not released details about how they believe the baby died or the child’s exact age at the time of death.
U.S. Marshals Assisted in Search
After the warrants were issued, the U.S. Marshals Service coordinated with law enforcement in North Carolina to locate the suspects.
Authorities found Alejandro and Feliz living on a property owned by one of Alejandro’s relatives on Ledbetter Road in Rockingham.
The pair was arrested and booked into the Richmond County Jail, where they remain in custody without bond.
Sheriff Praises Multi-State Cooperation
Richmond County Sheriff Mark B. Gulledge credited the successful arrest to cooperation between multiple law enforcement agencies.
“This is a prime example of agencies nationwide collaborating to uphold justice,” Gulledge said in a statement.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not released additional information regarding the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death. The charges against Alejandro and Feliz are allegations, and both are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
