Amber Alert Issued for Stolen Car with 5-Year-Old Girl Inside

Police search for missing child after vehicle was taken with her inside in St. Louis suburb

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:08am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a child's car seat with a single pink flower petal on the seat, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the loss and urgency of a child abduction case.The abandoned car seat serves as a somber reminder of the high stakes when a young child goes missing.Affton Today

Police in St. Louis County, Missouri have issued an Amber Alert for a 5-year-old girl named Aleise Dawson who was left unattended in a running vehicle that was then stolen. The vehicle has since been recovered, but the child remains missing. Authorities are treating this as an abduction case and are utilizing all available resources, including helicopter air support, to locate the young girl.

Why it matters

Child abductions are extremely serious and traumatic events that require immediate and comprehensive law enforcement response. This case highlights the risks of leaving young children unattended in running vehicles, which can lead to dangerous situations. The Amber Alert system is a critical tool to quickly disseminate information and mobilize the public to assist in locating missing children.

The details

According to police, the 5-year-old girl was left alone in a running vehicle by her guardian, a relative she had recently started living with, while the guardian went back inside a residence. When the guardian returned, the vehicle and child were gone. The vehicle was later recovered several blocks away, but Aleise Dawson remains missing. Authorities are unsure if the perpetrator is known to the child and guardian or if this was a random incident.

  • The incident occurred around 8 a.m. local time on Monday, March 31, 2026 in Affton, Missouri.
  • The Amber Alert was issued shortly after the child went missing.

The players

Aleise Dawson

A 5-year-old Black girl who stands 2 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 60 pounds, with four ponytails. She was last seen wearing a pink T-shirt with 'Flower Power' on it and blue shorts.

St. Louis County Police Department

The law enforcement agency leading the investigation and search for the missing child, including utilizing helicopter air support.

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What they’re saying

“'There's a 5-year-old out there and no one knows where she is. So we are going to utilize every resource that we have available to our department,'”

— Vera Clay, St. Louis County Police Department spokesperson

What’s next

Police are continuing their search for Aleise Dawson and urge anyone with information to contact them immediately at 636-529-8210 or 911.

The takeaway

This case serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of never leaving young children unattended in running vehicles, as it can lead to life-threatening situations. It also highlights the critical role of the Amber Alert system in quickly mobilizing law enforcement and the public to locate missing children.