Father Charged After Missing Infant Found in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A father, Justin Jefferson, is facing multiple charges after his 4-month-old daughter, reported missing from Erie, was located in Pittsburgh. Jefferson has been charged with endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, and making terroristic threats, according to court documents filed by Erie police. The incident began when the infant's mother informed police that Jefferson refused to return their daughter on Monday afternoon. In a tense confrontation, Jefferson allegedly threatened to crash the car, endangering both himself and the child, if the mother did not move from in front of the vehicle. He then drove off at speeds exceeding 100 mph, prompting the mother to alert authorities. Later that evening, police issued a missing endangered person advisory for the baby, believing she was with Jefferson, who was thought to be heading toward Pittsburgh. Authorities also placed signs along highways in western Pennsylvania to locate Jefferson's vehicle, a blue Buick Envision. On Tuesday, Jefferson contacted Pittsburgh police to report that he had his daughter, unaware that he had an active warrant for his arrest. He was subsequently taken into custody at the Allegheny County Jail. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh police ensured the safety of the infant until her mother arrived to take her home.