Police search for baby, suspect in his abduction

Police said Saturday that they are searching for King Jay Davila, an 8-month-old boy who was abducted Friday night from a West Side convenience store.

They also released photos and video footage of a female suspect they are working to identify and said the FBI is helping with the investigation.

“Detectives have been working around the clock since this happened. … And they continue to work as we speak,” Police Chief William McManus said at a Saturday news conference.

In a statement issued later, McManus thanked the FBI for its assistance.

“It’s even more appreciated that these agents are volunteering their time and expertise to help us find King, despite them not being paid during the current government shutdown,” McManus said. “Together, we will work tirelessly to find baby King.”

The child was left inside a Dodge Dart at 7 p.m. at the Friends Food Mart at 351 Enrique Barrera Parkway. An unidentified woman wearing a hoodie was seen getting into the car and driving away while the baby’s father, 34-year-old Christopher Davila, was inside the store, police said Friday.

The father called police moments after the abduction, but as investigators questioned him, they noticed discrepancies in his story, authorities said.

Police believe that Davila, who was arrested and charged with child endangerment in connection with the abduction, worked with the woman. Video footage shows her approaching the car at the store.

“There is no hesitation, no looking around, no wondering if she’s going to get in this car or not,” McManus said Saturday. “She knows where she’s going and what she’s doing.”

He said events in the video happened just “seconds” after the father left the car.

Authorities also canvassed the area close to where the car was found near Rodriguez Park. They found footage showing someone who appears to be the same woman carrying an infant car seat with a blanket over it. Police don’t know if the baby was in the car seat because of the blanket, McManus said.

The child’s family and his father are not cooperating, he added. “We continue to hope that the father will start to be cooperative and the family members will help us,” he said. “But right now, they’re uncooperative, much to our dismay.”

Police have pursued several leads but have not been able to identify the woman, he said. An Amber Alert was not issued because the necessary criteria were not met, McManus said.

The female suspect is an Anglo or Hispanic woman in her 20s or 30s who was last seen in a gray hoodie and tan/brown pants. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 immediately.

King