For Immediate Release: 8/21/2021 4:24 pm
On August 21st, 2021 at about 9:15 AM, Worcester Police officers were dispatched to the area of 590 Southbridge St for a report of a female missing her four-day-old baby. Worcester Police officers talked to the female, who reported that she had been in frequent contact with an acquaintance, later identified as Kassidy Lauziere-Cuevas, nineteen-years-old of Millbury, on Facebook. This acquaintance, who she had not met in person, offered to pick her up so they could get together to grab coffee today.
The caller and her newborn baby entered Ms. Lauziere-Cuevas’ vehicle. They stopped at the Gulf gas station at 590 Southbridge St, and the mother briefly entered the store. At this point, Ms. Lauziere-Cuevas drove away with the baby. The mother exited the store and immediately flagged down a Holy Cross Police officer, who called Worcester Police to assist.
Members of the Worcester Police Department began an intensive search for the baby, Ms. Lauziere-Cuevas, and the vehicle. This involved communication with the public, area police departments, and use of the reverse 911 system. At about 10:10 AM, the suspect vehicle was located by Shrewsbury Police in Shrewsbury, but neither Ms. Lauziere-Cuevas nor the baby were in the vehicle.
Worcester Police officers received information that Ms. Lauziere-Cuevas might be with a male, identified as Daquan Jefferson, twenty-three-years-old of Worcester, and the baby in the Lincoln St area. At about 12:05 PM, officers received a call that a male had left the baby with an uninvolved citizen at Subway at 490 Lincoln St. The citizen at Subway called, and officers responded and the mother was reunited with her child, who appeared to be safe and unharmed.
Officers received information that the two suspects, Ms. Lauziere-Cuevas and Mr. Jefferson, were in the area of Wendy’s on Lincoln St. Officers responded and located them at Wendy’s. They were both placed under arrest and are each charged with Kidnapping and Reckless Endangerment of a Child. They will be arraigned in court.
