ALTUS, Oklahoma—A manhunt was underway on Wednesday, July 3, in Missouri for a couple wanted on child abuse and other charges after authorities in Oklahoma found one of their children dead and three others in critical condition.
St. Louis police on Tuesday asked for the public’s help in locating Hakim Mustafa Moore, 27, and Robin Alexander, 29.
The SLMPDs US Marshals Task Force needs help finding Hakim Mustafa Moore a 27yo black male & Robin Alexander a 29yo black female, relative to a child abuse/neglect investigation. Anyone w/info should contact 9-1-1 or @STLRCS @866-371-TIPS (8477)
More info: https://t.co/QGtZhgvLAw pic.twitter.com/GXhnusXVde— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) July 2, 2019
The couple’s last known address was in Altus, Oklahoma, about 640 miles from St. Louis.
Police in Altus received a tip that Alexander and Moore had fled to St. Louis to avoid capture after an arrest warrant was issued June 10.
The U.S. Marshals Service was assisting in the search and is offering up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest, the police department said on Twitter.
****REWARD UPDATE***
Be advised that the US Marshals Service is offering up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of these two subjects.
Anyone w/information should contact 9-1-1 or @STLRCS @866-371-TIPS (8477).
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) July 3, 2019
Authorities haven’t released details of the child’s death and the other children’s ailments.
St. Louis police said the three who were found alive in Oklahoma are in the custody of the state, but authorities have not released information about when they were discovered or the circumstances of their discovery.
The couple also has a fifth child who was born in a hotel room and has not been located, St. Louis police said. They did not say where the hotel is or when the child was born.
St. Louis police deferred questions to Altus police, where a department spokesman wasn’t available for comment Wednesday. The town is located in southwest Oklahoma near the Texas border.
Moore is wanted for failing to appear in court to answer charges of child abuse, child neglect and enabling child neglect, according to St. Louis police and the sheriff’s office in Jackson County, Oklahoma, where Altus is located. He’s also wanted on a separate warrant of failing to appear on a charge of obstructing an officer.
Alexander is wanted for failing to appear on a charge of child abuse and two counts of child neglect.
How to Report Suspected Child Maltreatment
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, contact your local child protective services office or law enforcement agency so officials can investigate and assess the situation. Most states have a number to call to report abuse or neglect.
To find out where to call, consult the State Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Numbers website.
The Childhelp organization can also provide crisis assistance and other counseling and referral services. Contact them at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).
“Every year more than 3.6 million referrals are made to child protection agencies involving more than 6.6 million children (a referral can include multiple children),” according to Childhelp.
NTD News staff contributed to this article.
