Amber Alert canceled for mother, daughter staying in West Chester

Teen mom had been placed in Butler County after domestic violence incident in Akron.
West Chester Police issued an Amber Alert on Monday, March 11, 2024, and believe Maoly Tejeda Herrera, 17, center, and her 1-year-old daughter, Sara Herrera, right, are with Byron Tejeda and could be in danger. CONTRIBUTED

West Chester Police issued an Amber Alert on Monday, March 11, 2024, and believe Maoly Tejeda Herrera, 17, center, and her 1-year-old daughter, Sara Herrera, right, are with Byron Tejeda and could be in danger. CONTRIBUTED

The West Chester Police Department issued then later Monday canceled an Amber Alert to locate Maoly Toscano Hererra, a 17-year-old, and her daughter, Sara Herrera, who is 1 year old.

The two had been believed to be with 22-year-old Bayron Tejeda, the child’s father, according to West Chester officials who spoke Monday.

Monday afternoon, West Chester officials said in a message to media the mother and daughter had “been located in the Akron area. More details to come when available. They are OK.”

Officials added it was an open investigation and said they would share more details when they could.

Earlier in the day, West Chester officials had said: “Both Maoly Toscano Hererra and her daughter Sara are believed to be in danger due to an alleged history of severe domestic violence by Bayron Tejeda.”

Credit: Journal News

The mother and daughter had last been seen in West Chester at 4:30 a.m. Monday when police were contacted.

Investigators said the two were believed to be in a full-sized white pickup truck.

Police initially asked anyone who may know the whereabouts of the three to call 9-1-1 and report their location.

UPDATE: They have been located safe in the Akron area. Police are continuing their investigation. The West Chester...

Posted by West Chester Township - Government on Monday, March 11, 2024

“We have a complicated case we are working through,” according to Brian Rebholz, West Chester’s assistant police chief said at a press conference Monday.

Hererra and Tejada are both from the Akron area. Hererra and her baby were placed in Butler County on an emergency basis by Summit County’s foster care agency.

West Chester Police Department  Assistant Chief Brian Rebholz speakers to media about an Amber Alert issued to locate Maoly Hererra Toscano, a 17-year-old, and her daughter, Sara Herrera, who is 1 year old.

The two are believed to be with 22-year-old Bayron Tejeda, the child’s father, according to a release from West Chester officials. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

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Credit: Nick Graham

Rebholz said Hererra could have left with Tejada willingly, but she and her daughter are both wards of the state.

“Due to the nature of the incident based out of Akron, this was a serious domestic violence case ... and they were placed here on an emergency basis, and they they’re not where they are supposed to be right now, so both are in jeopardy in my personal opinion,” the assistant chief said before they were found.

Rebholz said he did not have details about the alleged Akron incident that resulted in the emergency placement in West Chester.

A 911 caller said Hererra was from Honduras and did not speak English.