Missing 19-month-old found safe; father in custody

New Information: MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A 19-month-old child was safely recovered after an overnight search that began with a welfare check and ended with the child’s father facing multiple charges. That’s according to Mt. Sterling Police.

Officers were called around 7 p.m. Dec. 26 after family members reported concerns about the child’s safety. Police said the child was supposed to be taking medication for an illness and was still in the custody of the father, Cory Driscoll, after visitation hours. Investigators said Driscoll had made concerning statements earlier in the day.

Police went to Driscoll’s home but found it empty, and his vehicle was not located. A witness later told officers Driscoll was seen leaving the residence with the child and appeared to have recently shaved his head. Investigators also discovered Driscoll had left his phone behind before leaving.

The child and vehicle were entered into a national law enforcement database. Requests to issue an Amber Alert were denied because the case did not meet specific criteria, police said.

Around 11:12 a.m. Dec. 27, Shelbyville police were dispatched to an elementary school for a welfare check on a man seen screaming and lying under a flagpole. Officers identified the man as Driscoll and located his truck in the parking lot. The child was found inside the vehicle and appeared unharmed but was taken to a children’s hospital as a precaution.

Driscoll was also taken to a hospital and later charged by Shelbyville police with child abuse or neglect and endangering the welfare of a minor. He was then transported back to Montgomery County, where additional charges were filed, including custodial interference, first-degree criminal abuse of a child under 12, and first-degree wanton endangerment.

Police thanked multiple agencies and the public for helping locate the child. Authorities emphasized that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

MT. STERLING, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — The Mt. Sterling Police Department reports that a missing 19-month-old child has been found safe, and the child’s father is now in custody.

Police say 35-year-old Cory J. Driscoll has been taken into custody. No additional details about the circumstances have been released at this time. Authorities say more information will be provided as it becomes available.