A heartbreaking search is underway in the Bronx after a two-year-old boy, Montrell Williams, who vanished in early May, is now feared dead. Police suspect the toddler may have been thrown into the Bronx River by his father following a family dispute.
Montrell was last seen on May 9 after a scheduled visit with his father. The following day, a confrontation reportedly occurred between the boy’s father and his grandmother, who shared a home. According to police, the father took Montrell and never returned him to his mother.
“Me and him had a conflict. I’m in my room. My cousin told me that my son took the baby. I went downstairs to chase him. He was gone. From that day, I was trying to search for my grandson,” Montrell’s grandmother recounted.
Nearly a month later, on June 8, Montrell’s 17-year-old mother confronted the 20-year-old father. During the confrontation, he allegedly brandished a knife and confessed to throwing the child into the Bronx River. Police say if his statement proves true, the incident likely occurred near the Bruckner Expressway, KKTV.
Montrell’s mother immediately alerted authorities after pressing him for answers, with officers noting his responses raised serious concerns. On Monday, the father appeared in Bronx Family Court on a warrant for violating a custody agreement by failing to return the child.
Despite questioning, he once again refused to disclose Montrell’s whereabouts and was subsequently jailed. As of now, no criminal charges have been filed. According to the NYPD, Mayor Eric Adams addressed the case on Tuesday, expressing concern and calling for a thorough investigation.
“We’re still unraveling exactly what happened. Were proper procedures followed?” the mayor said. “We’re still investigating all actions — the actions of the dad, the actions of officers who responded. And once we have a full understanding based on the detectives’ division, we’ll be able to answer what happened. But right now our goal is to find the child.”
NYPD divers are currently focusing search efforts along the riverbanks beneath the expressway after surveillance footage showed the father with Montrell near the water. Meanwhile, family members continue their own desperate search on foot along the river, according to WNYW.
“I just hope my son opens his mouth and speaks. I love him and bring my grand baby back,” said Montrell’s grandmother. “I can only imagine what his mom is going through right now,” added neighbor Tracey Pringle. “The only thing we can do is just hope and pray that he’s OK and that he’s returned safely.”