Amber alert issued for missing Conn. toddler after mom found dead in home

ANSONIA, Conn. — An Amber alert has been issued for a missing Connecticut toddler after authorities found the girl's mother dead Monday evening, authorities said.

According to the Connecticut Post, Ansonia police discovered the body of the woman, whose name has not been released, while conducting a welfare check at the pair's Myrtle Avenue home about 7:30 p.m. Monday. Investigators believe the death was a homicide, the newspaper reported.

Officers could not find the woman's daughter, 1-year-old Venessa Morales. In a Tuesday news release, the Ansonia Police Department said the girl, who hasn't been seen since Friday, "may be endangered."

The Amber alert was issued on Tuesday morning.

Authorities said Venessa has brown hair and eyes, stands 2 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 17 pounds.

WFSB-TV reported Tuesday that Venessa's father, who did not live with the mother and daughter but sometimes stayed with them, has been cooperative. Officials have not released his name.

"This is a two-part investigation — the first part is a homicide investigation, the second is a missing child investigation," Lt. Patrick Lynch told the Connecticut Post. "Our main focus at the moment is finding Venessa Morales and making sure she's safe."

Police, who have teamed up with investigators from state and federal agencies, have not yet named any suspects, the Post reported.

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