Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Missing child found but mother in jail

Metro Police found a missing 22-month old girl safe Tuesday night, but the mother is behind bars on a domestic violence charge for allegedly assaulting the toddler's grandmother.

Shalynn Hatter gave her daughter, Quejanae, to her mother to watch on Monday, police said. Hatter's mother, who is homeless, gave the girl to 20-year-old Tiffany May.

Shalynn Hatter reported the girl missing Monday afternoon after May failed to return with the child.

May gave the girl to friends at the Carson Arms apartment complex on Carson Avenue on Tuesday, and the friends called police.

Metro Detective Gary Sayre said they're not actively looking for May, now that the toddler has been located.

"We don't consider it a kidnapping, but we'd like to talk to her," he said this morning. "The mom is culpable because she knew her mother couldn't take care of her."

Hatter was arrested Tuesday night for allegedly assaulting her mother. Quejanae was taken to Child Haven.

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