Police on lookout for Sarasota infant last seen with mother in custody dispute

SARASOTA -- Investigators are trying to find a 17-month-old baby -- believed to be in possible danger -- and the child's mother, according to the Sarasota Police Department.

Thiago Lopez was last seen several days ago with his mother, Tiaja Lopez-Vasquez, 27, in the 1600 block of Main Street in Sarasota in a silver or grayish sport utility vehicle, according to the news release.

Police said they believe the child is not being properly cared for and therefore could be in danger.

"There is some sort of custody dispute. ... We need to find them," spokeswoman Genevieve Judge said in a release Tuesday night.

Sarasota police are working with the Florida Department of Children and Families on the case.

"At this time, this case does not meet the requirements of an Amber Alert," Judge said.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the mother and child can call the Sarasota Police Department at 941-954-7025.

This is not the first time this infant has been reported missing by authorities. A flier on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children website listed Thiago as missing since Sept. 3.

At the time, he was believed to be traveling with his father, Martin Lopez, and mother in a silver 2001 Mitsubishi SUV.

Thiago and his mother may go by an alias using the last name Jackson, the poster says.

Sarasota police late Tuesday could not confirm the child previously went missing or provide any additional details. The case was initially a DCF case, Judge said.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter@JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published December 29, 2015 at 8:39 PM with the headline "Police on lookout for Sarasota infant last seen with mother in custody dispute ."