Missing infant out of Coconut Creek found safely with father in Apopka

Police say 19-day-old child was forcibly removed by his 17-year-old father

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – The Coconut Creek Police Department issued an Amber Alert for a missing two-week-old child early Monday evening.

The child was located safely by authorities several hours later in Apopka.

According to police, officers were dispatched at 2:30 p.m. to the 4900 block of Fisherman’s Drive in Coconut Creek to investigate a domestic dispute.

Police said they determined the suspect, Jonathan Garcia, age 17, forcibly removed his son, Joshua Pachon Quintero, from the child’s 15-year-old mother.

Witnesses told investigators the suspect was seen hitting and shaking the child as he was running away from the scene.

The child is 19 days old, born on July 15, 2020.

Coconut Creek Amber Alert for 19-day-old child that was allegedly taken by its 17-year-old father. (WPLG)

The child’s mother, Laura Pachon Quintero, has a restraining order for Garcia. She told Local 10 News that Garcia beat her when she was eight months pregnant.

Garcia had been on the phone with the child’s mother during the time since he removed the child.

According to police, the investigation initially revealed that Garcia took an Uber with the child to Oakland Park.

It is not immediately known how Garcia and the child got from Oakland Park to Apopka.

The Apopka Police Department confirmed Garcia was arrested in their jurisdiction, but said any further information would come from Coconut Creek PD.

The child’s will be picked up by his mother and other family members at Advent Health in Apopka.

Anyone with information that might help investigators, is asked to please call the Coconut Creek Police Department at 954-973-6700.


About the Authors:

David Dwork joined the WPLG Local 10 News team in August 2019. Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, David has covered South Florida sports since 2007.

Sanela Sabovic joined Local 10 News in September 2012 as an assignment editor and associate producer. In August 2015, she became a full-time reporter and fill-in traffic reporter. Sanela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film from DePaul University.