FREETOWN -- Police in Freetown used a thermal camera drone to find a two-year-old who went missing after their mother was arrested for a stabbing. Angel-Leah Duarte, 25, was arrested Friday night after allegedly stabbing a 61-year-old in the face.
Police said they were called to the scene around 8:20 p.m. when the victim showed up at a neighbor's house. When officers arrived, Duarte took her child and ran away.
After a brief search, Duarte was found and arrested but the toddler was still missing.
The child was found in the woods by a drone with a thermal camera by Dartmouth Police just before 11 p.m., police said.
The drone operator noticed a heat signature about a quarter mile from where the child was last seen and guided another officer to the location via radio.
DARTMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, December 19, 2022
Dartmouth Drone Team Members Locate Missing Child
DARTMOUTH, MA – On Friday, December 16, 2022 at approximately 10:00 p.m., members of the Dartmouth Police Department Drone Unit were requested to respond to Freetown to assist with locating a missing two year old child.
Within fifteen (15) minutes of their arrival, drone operator, Officer Justin MEDEIROS, identified a heat signature in a wooded area located approximately one quarter mile away from where the child was last seen. As this signature was consistent with a stationary individual, Officer MEDEIROS guided Sergeant Scott STANTON to the location by radio.
Upon reaching the area where the heat signature was identified, Sergeant STANTON located and recovered the child.
According to Dartmouth Chief of Police, Brian P. LEVESQUE, “This incident was the perfect example of where the crossroads of technology and good teamwork came together. Had it not been for the use of our drone, and the excellent communication between my two officers, the outcome of this incident would have most likely been grave.”
The attached video clip shows when the child was located and recovered.
For further details associated with the incident, reference can be made to the Freetown Police Department media release.
Along with the drone, a K9, and search and rescue teams from the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council were involved in the search. Neighbors were notified with a reverse 911 call.
Duarte was taken to the hospital and then booked at the Freetown police station.
On Monday, Duarte was arraigned on charges of attempted murder and assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon. She pleaded not guilty.
The victim's condition and identity are unknown at this time.
