Police Searching for Parents Accused of Abducting & Ditching Their 8-Day-Old Son

Authorities have canceled an Amber Alert for a North Carolina newborn after finding him safe on February 26. Jaxton Brown was just 8 days old when police found him near a Big Lots store in Durham. His parents, Destinee Ariel Cothran, 26, and Justin Lee Brown, 29, allegedly abducted the infant.

They apparently do not have custody of Jaxton and are still on the run. Thankfully, the baby is safe, but his parents have not been found, and police want help locating them.

Jaxton was evidently removed from his parents' custody after birth.

The infant was born on February 18, according to WRAL. Chapel Hill police issued a statement on Facebook, warning that the child might be in danger but did not indicate why. It is unclear why his parents were suspected of abducting him, but it appears they may not have legal custody of their baby.

The family appeared to be staying at a motel.

According to police, prior to the Amber Alert, the baby was last seen on February 23 at a Red Roof Inn at 5623 Fordham Boulevard. Police believe the parents were traveling in a white 1997 Mercury Mystique with the temporary North Carolina tag 29279542 when the alert was issued.

Talk to moms about mom stuff. And make money doing it.

Jaxton was found a few hours later.

Jaxton was located near a Big Lots store near Southwest Durham Drive and Witherspoon Boulevard. WRAL reported. Video surveillance from the scene allegedly showed the parents removing the infant from a car that matched the description in the Amber Alert and taking his carrier to the woods. The infant was found a short time later near the abandoned car.

Cothran may have been in addiction recovery.

According to her social media, Cothran is a mother of four and has three daughters in addition to Jaxton. She posted openly on TikTok about addiction and was excited to move into a new home with a fresh start. On September 28, 2023, she captioned a video, "road to Recovery. it's all for me and my Lil family you're loved so much already baby brown."

Police want help finding the parents.

According to police, they are still looking for Brown and Cothran. Brown is reportedly about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs approximately 160 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Cothran weighs about 120 pounds and is 5 feet 3 inches tall. She has brown hair and hazel eyes.

Anyone with information about Brown and Cothran's locations is asked to call 911 or contact the Chapel Hill Police Department at 919-968-2760. Anonymous tips can be made to Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC Crimestoppers at 919-942-7515.