WTVM.com and WTVM News Leader 9, Columbus, GA | Police: Amber Alert A Hoax; Mother Held In Child's Death

Police: Amber Alert A Hoax; Mother Held In Child's Death

A five-year-old boy who was the subject of a hoaxed missing persons case Monday was found dead early this morning.

In a media conference this morning, Etowah County Sheriff James Hayes said two people were being held in the Etowah County jail in connection with the case: Kevin Andre Towles and Geontae's mother Shalinda Glass. They were taken into custody at the Rainbow City Apartments. Hayes said law enforcement officials are searching for other "persons-of-interest" in the case.

Hayes said Geontae's body was found at what is believed to be Towles' residence just after 1:00 a.m. today on Shady Grove Road in the Mountainboro area of Etowah County, just over the Marshall County line.

An autopsy will be performed on Geontae's body to determine the cause of death.

Hayes said around $30,000, weapons and what is believed to be cocaine was found in a car at the Mountainboro residence.

On Monday, the Amber Alert was issued after Geontae was reported missing by his mother  when a man reportedly stole a car in which he was seated from in front of a Conoco store in Albertville.

Albertville Police Chief Benny Womack said the Nissan Altima was left running and the child's mother was in the store when a pickup truck drove up. He said a man jumped out and sped off in the car as someone else drove away in the pickup truck.

WAFF-TV, Huntsville