Indiana Amber Alert canceled after baby abducted in Merrillville dropped off at police station

Monday, October 11, 2021
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (WLS) -- Authorities in Indiana said they have located a baby girl who police say was abducted from a home in Merrillville early Monday, prompting a statewide Amber Alert.

According to the Merrillville Police Department, the mother of 7-month-old Xeniyah Sanders said a man entered their home in the 5600-block of Massachusetts Street through a window without permission, took the child and fled.

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Police said Xeniyah was last seen at 5:35 a.m. on Monday seen wearing a white shirt with a watermelon on the front and the words "Grandpa is one in a melon," a diaper and no shoes.

Earlier, police said they believed Xeniyah was with 35-year-old Leandre Nutull. Police said he was last seen wearing a black coat and black jeans and driving a silver 2006 Acura TL with Illinois license plates of CU62616.

Merrillville police said the baby was safely dropped off at a police station in Illinois Monday afternoon and has been reunited with her family. The Amber Alert was canceled just after 3 p.m.

Investigators did not share details about the circumstances, but said that "all tips that were given to the police department led up to the resolution."

The person who took the child is not in custody, police said, but is expected to be charged.

Merrillville police said the investigation remains active and no additional details will be released at this time.
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