Midlands toddler is missing after being taken from SC home, sheriff’s deputies say

A search is underway for a missing boy who was taken from his Midlands home, the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.

On Monday, Jasper Garcia was unlawfully taken by Vanessa Weatherford, his biological mother, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. Weatherford does not have legal custody of the 3-year-old boy and did not have permission to take him, according to the release.

Jasper was taken from the Bethune-area home of his legal guardian, the sheriff’s office said. Information about how the boy was taken was not available.

The sheriff’s office described Jasper as a 3-foot tall, 35-pound boy. Jasper was last seen wearing plaid shorts with a blue stripe, a blue T-shirt with a yellow truck emblem and black and blue flip flops, according to the release.

Deputies said they believe Weatherford is driving a vehicle that is spray painted a dark green color. She could be in the area of Patrick, Hartsville or Cheraw, according to the release.

Both the sheriff’s office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division are investigating Jasper’s disappearance.

There are currently no active Amber Alerts in South Carolina, and there are no active endangered person advisories, according to SLED.

Anyone who has seen Jasper or Weatherford, or has information about either of them, is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 803-900-6389, or CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.