Des Plaines River searched for missing toddler

April 17, 2013 (MAYWOOD, Ill.)

Police are searching for what they believe is Bryeon Hunter's body.

Lakeshia Baker, Bryeon Hunter's mother, reported her son kidnapped on Tuesday. An Amber Alert was issued after the toddler's 23-year-old mother claimed three men took Bryeon after beating her up.

Bryeon's grandmother Brenda Lloyd wants answers about the whereabouts of her grandson.

"It's getting to the point my baby might be dead, laying somewhere," Lloyd said. "I'm trying not to believe that," said Lloyd.

Despite the injuries that sent Baker to the hospital Tuesday, the three men she accused of beating her and snatching her son have been cleared by police of any wrongdoing.

After Baker was released from the hospital Tuesday night, she and her boyfriend were brought to the Maywood police station for questioning. Both have not been released, each apparently blaming the other for the boy's disappearance.

After all-day searches in the river, and near Baker's home, there is no sign of Bryeon Hunter.

"It's real frustrating," said Lloyd. "I'm trying not to believe my baby is gone."

The search of the Des Plaines River was suspended around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday because of poor weather conditions. The search is expected to continue Thursday.

The boy is described as about 2-feet tall and weighing 30 pounds, the alert said. Police say the boy has brown hair and brown eyes and just got a haircut.

He was wearing a two-toned blue striped long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and blue and brown Nike boots.

Maywood police are urging anyone with information to contact them at (708) 450-4471.

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