Tampa police continue the search for a missing woman after the kidnapper she was believed to be accompanied by was found dead and the abducted child was rescued.
Sylvia Pagan, 34, was originally listed as a possible companion on an Amber Alert issued for 9-year-old Briana Pagan around 1 a.m. Monday, officials said.
The suspected kidnapper listed on the Amber Alert, 38-year-old Jovanni Caceres Steffani, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Suwannee County at 2 a.m. Monday.
The Amber Alert was lifted about an hour and a half after it was issued. Briana Pagan did not appear to have any injuries but was taken to a hospital as a precaution.
The Tampa Police Department then issued a separate alert for Sylvia Pagan, who was described as "missing and endangered." Sylvia Pagan was not found with Briana Pagan or Steffani.
She was last seen on Sunday in the 10400 block on Altman Street at around 10 a.m., police told Newsweek.
Timeline of the disappearance
About an hour after the Amber Alert was issued, police found Steffani and the child in a hotel room in Suwannee County, WTSP reported. When he answered the door, deputies saw Briana Pagan and took her into their care. The child did not have any information on Sylvia Pagan's whereabouts.
Steffani then allegedly grabbed a gun from the bathroom and fatally shot himself.
Police told WTSP the investigation led them to believe that Sylvia Pagan and Steffani spent the night together at her house and left at around 10 a.m. on Sunday. Officials searched the house and found no evidence of injury or domestic violence.
"As detectives diligently work to locate Sylvia Pagan, we are deeply concerned for her overall well-being," police told Newsweek.
Pagan is described as around 5-foot-3 and weighing 155 pounds. She was last seen wearing a dress of an unknown color. She has black hair, but it may be partially dyed.
Anyone with information should contact the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130.
Newsweek has reached out to the Tampa Police Department for additional details.
What is an Amber Alert?
An Amber Alert is an alert distributed to the public asking for assistance in locating abducted children.
Several criteria must be met to issue an Amber Alert. The child must be under 18, law enforcement must believe that a kidnapping occurred and law enforcement must believe the child is in imminent danger of death or serious injury. The law enforcement agency has to recommend activation of the alert and there must be a detailed description of the child, the abductor or the abductor's vehicle.
Over 1,200 children have been found through Amber Alerts and 180 children were rescued because of wireless emergency alerts as of 2023.
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Jenna Sundel is a Newsweek reporter based in New Jersey. Her focus is reporting on breaking news. Jenna joined Newsweek ... Read more
