Parents Accused of Abandoning Infant During Cable Theft Escape
Three suspects, including a pair of parents, are accused of abandoning a 4-month-old baby at a crime scene in Pennsylvania to evade police capture after being caught attempting to steal cable wires. The incident occurred early Monday morning on Meetinghouse Road in Upper Chichester, approximately 23 miles southwest of Philadelphia.
Details of the Cable Theft Operation
Authorities reported that the three individuals were caught using a saw to cut down an inactive Verizon cable. The crime was likely motivated by financial gain from the materials inside the cables, particularly the copper, which is valuable for melting down and pawning. Lt. Christopher Jones of the Upper Chichester Police Department explained to WPVI Action News that "The copper inside the cables is a hot item for the precious metals to be melted down and taken to wherever they can to get pawned."
As officers arrived at the scene, the suspects fled in a Jeep, leaving behind a sedan containing cut cable wires and hand saws. After impounding the sedan, officers noticed movement in the backseat. Lt. Jones described the discovery: "Once it was back here, our officers were checking the exterior of the car and noticed that a blanket in the backseat moved slightly." Police removed the blanket and found a sleeping 4-month-old baby boy.
Arrests and Ongoing Search for Suspects
Following the discovery, the baby's mother, Angelina Williams, 32, was arrested in connection with the cable theft. Police noted that Williams did not mention her baby was left in the vehicle. Two other suspects remain at large: Joseph Daniels, 49, identified as the baby's father, and Ray Gibase, 47. It is unclear how Gibase is connected to the parents.
Authorities expressed relief that the infant was found unharmed. Lt. Jones emphasized: "Thank goodness that officer looked in there and saw something moving. It would've been a few hours before we executed a search warrant on it once the judge signed the paperwork." The baby is now in the care of his grandmother.
Public Appeal for Information
Police are urging anyone with information about the two suspects still at large to contact the Upper Chichester Police Department. The investigation continues as authorities work to locate Daniels and Gibase, who fled the scene during the attempted theft.
