Hamden Toddler Found Safe on West Haven Beach

A 20-month-old girl from Hamden who was missing for more than a day was found safe on Monday night. 

Taijha Bracy was found Monday night on a beach with her mother, who does not have custody of the girl.

Police say they received a tip that Sonya Bracy was in the area of Captain's Galley Restaurant on Beach Street in West Haven around 9:30 p.m. When police approached her and started asking questions, Bracy became uncooperative and assaulted an officer, police said. 

She was arrested and Department of Children and Families took custody of Taijha, who appeared unharmed but she was evaluated at a hospital as a precaution.

East Hartford and state police had put out an alert earlier in the day, saying there was concern for Taijha's safety because her mother, who walked away with the little girl on Sunday at a church function, has a drug addiction.

Sonya Bracy is only allowed to have visits supervised by DCF, police said. Taijha’s grandmother is her guardian.

On Sunday afternoon, Sonya took the little girl to change her diaper and never returned, according to state police.

Taijha was reported missing four hours after she was discovered missing, state police said.

West Haven police charged Sonya Bracy with assault on an officer, interfering and breach of peace. It was unclear late Monday night if she will also be charged with taking Taijha.

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