Authorities continue to search for a missing toddler after the little
boy’s mother was found dead in the Mississippi River.
The University City Police Department is investigating the
disappearance of a two year- old child, Gebar Byrd, Jr. The child was
reported missing along with his mother on March 28, after family members
had not heard from mother.
The mother reportedly left with the child after a disagreement with
the child’s father, Gebar Byrd, Sr. at their residence in the 6600 block
of Crest Avenue in University City. The child’s father has been
cooperating with the investigation.
A body recovered from the Mississippi River on Friday, April 9 in the
City of St. Louis, was just identified Friday, April 16 as the child's
mother, Yasmin Rodriguez, 24.
Police said no exact cause of death has been determined by the St.
Louis Medical Examiner.
Police said Rodriguez was found floating in the Mississippi River and
when her body was recovered from the river there were no obvious signs
of trauma. Investigators said Friday it is unclear how her body
eventually ended up in St. Louis.
According to University City Police Capt. Michael Ransom, the missing
child’s mother was scheduled to pick up her mother on the evening of
March 23 and did not show. Her family contacted the police to file the
missing person report on March 28.
An Extensive search of the home revealed no signs of any crime.
Gerber Byrd Sr. was interviewed on March 28 and he indicated a verbal
disagreement occurred with his child’s mother and she left with the
child while he was away from residence, according to Ransom.
Interviews with family members and known associates have been
conducted and the investigation continues.
Information concerning the two missing persons was distributed to law
enforcement agencies in the Metropolitan St. Louis area to include the
Metro East, where the father has extended family, according to Ransom.
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Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the
University City Police Department at (314) 725-2211 or Crime Stoppers at
(866) 371-TIPS or the National Center for Missing & Exploited
Children 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
