WASHINGTON — A Fairfax County teenager and her baby are missing, and police believe they might be in danger.
Fairfax County police Officer Tawny Wright said detectives believe fear is what drove Lizzy Rivera Colindres, 16, of Springfield, Virginia, to take her baby and leave with the child’s dad, Jose Ivan Castillo Rivas, 18.
“We definitely discovered some issues that lead us to believe that she might be afraid of him,” Wright said.
Rivera Colindres and her 5-month-old son, Aidan David Castillo Rivera, were last seen Jan. 14 at Rhoden Court in Springfield. Rivera Colindres’ mother reported them missing the following day.
Fairfax County police initially believed that they left voluntarily with the baby’s father, who is also from the Springfield area. However, new information suggests that Rivera Colindres left with her baby out of fear for her safety, her baby’s safety and, possibly, her family’s safety.
Wright said Castillo Rivas was affiliated with a gang but declined to provide further details, citing the safety of the teen mom.
“We do believe that there is some contention between Lizzy and the baby’s father, which contributes to why we think she might not want to be with him,” Wright added.
She said they have been working the case nonstop trying to get a lead and to find the mom and baby. Rivera Colindres is about 5-feet 6-inches tall, weighs about 125 pounds, has long black hair and wears glasses.
“As we’ve been looking for her and new information has been coming in, there’s growing concern for a number of reasons,” Wright said last week.
Wright also said last week that investigators have had no success finding the baby’s father, Castillo Rivas. Police want to hear from anyone with information related to Rivera Colindres, her son, Aidan David Castillo Rivera or the boy’s father.
“A 16-year-old mom, 18-year-old dad, they may not be hanging out with the best crowd, we don’t know what kind of care the baby’s getting,” Wright said earlier.
Police ask anyone with information to call 571-585-2378 or 571-489-1796.
WTOP’s Kathy Stewart contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated Feb. 5 to reflect new information from a Fairfax County police officer about the child’s father and his possible gang affiliation. It was originally published 6:55 a.m. on Feb. 1.
