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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Gainesville police arrest three people after missing boy found safe

The Gainesville Police Department arrested three individuals in connection with the disappearance of a 13-year-old boy who was found safe on Christmas Day after a multi-agency search.

According to GPD, in the early morning hours of Friday, December 23, police officers responded to a report of a missing 13-year-old boy who was last seen in southwest Gainesville near SW 30th Terrace.

In a social media post, GPD stated that the initial investigation revealed that the last confirmed sighting of the boy was at approximately 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 22. Due to the circumstances in which the boy went missing and the cold temperatures in the area, officers were concerned for his safety.

GPD detectives responded to the scene to continue the investigation.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued a Missing Child Alert, and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Aviation unit responded to conduct an overhead search of the area. GPD also stated that multiple reverse 911 calls and texts were made to the community, information was shared with local media, and uniformed officers distributed numerous flyers with the missing boy’s information to members of the community.

In addition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was consulted and provided assistance during the investigation.

Throughout the holidays, Gainesville detectives continued to actively investigate the incident and attempted to locate the missing boy. During a secondary canvass of the surrounding area, video surveillance was reviewed, and the boy was observed outside of a closed business during the late evening hours on December 22. The boy appeared to be in distress.

According to GPD, the video surveillance contradicted previous statements that were made by a witness who was identified as 40-year-old Tiffany Helen Mejia. During the investigation, Mejia became a person of interest in the boy’s disappearance.

Tiffany Helen Mejia
Tiffany Helen Mejia

On Sunday, December 25, GPD’s SWAT unit assisted detectives in serving a search warrant at Mejia’s home. During the search warrant, Mejia was contacted and admitted to taking the boy and driving him outside of the area to an unknown residence.

After GPD gathered additional information, investigators believed that the missing boy was in one of two possible locations in Clay County. GPD requested assistance from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the sheriff’s office was able to locate the boy.

GPD detectives met with CCSO and recovered the boy who was safe and unharmed.

Mejia was arrested and transported to Alachua County Jail. She is facing charges for tampering with evidence, interference with child custody, and multiple felony drug offenses.

GPD’s investigation also led to the arrest of 55-year-old Tommy Stephens and 43-year-old Jamie Stephens. They were both transported to Alachua County Jail and are facing charges for child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Tommy Stephens
Tommy Stephens
Jamie Stephens
Jamie Stephens

On its Facebook page, the Gainesville Police Department thanked the community, the FBI, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the multiple other individuals and organizations that worked together through the holidays to bring the boy home safe.