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After a lengthy search for 3 year old Montez Cooper, police found him in a laundry room at the apartment complex where he was last seen.
The laundry room did not have any signage and officers were not told about its’ existence during the overnight search. Officers checked the door during the search and discovered it was locked. The officers believed it was an apartment unit and upon not getting a response, continued with their door to door search.
Officers were told about the laundry room by a manager who had come to the complex around 8:00am to allow officers to check several vacant apartment units. While escorting the officers, the manager mentioned the laundry room and unlocked it. A detective found Montez inside. He was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital for a precautionary checkup and released to a family member.
Although officers who responded to the scene at 8:15 Tuesday night were told Montez could only have gotten out of the apartment through a rear window, police believe he walked out the front door with the intention of going to the laundry room to wash his shoes. His shoes were found in the washing machine and he told police he was in there to clean his shoes. Nobody noticed Montez leave the apartment or go into the laundry room.
Although the laundry room is supposed to be locked, police believe someone left it unlocked and Montez was able to push the door open enough to get in. Once inside, the task of pulling the door open to get out may have proved too much for Montez. While struggling with the door knob, he locked the door.
At this time, investigators do not feel they have probable cause to charge anyone with a criminal offense.
The Evansville Police Department would like to thank everyone who helped search for Montez and all those who shared his information in an effort to help us return him safely to his loved ones.
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