Police ask for help finding missing 4-year-old

NORWICH, Conn. (WTNH) -- Police are asking for the public's help in finding a little boy from Norwich who was taken by his mother. The case of the missing 4-year-old has led authorities to issue a Silver Alert.

Four-year-old Yahquin Warren did not show when he was supposed to Wednesday at the Samuel Huntington School day program, so the school called the boy's grandmother, and that's when she found out Yahquin was missing.

The 4-year-old lives in the custody of his grandparents in an apartment house in the Taftville section of Norwich. Police say it's Yahquin's mother, 35-year-old Keyett McDonald who took him.

Police issued a silver alert on Wednesday.

"It's a two-fold investigation. We're looking at the criminal aspect," said Lt. Chris Ferace, Norwich Police Dept. "We're also looking at the priority, which is getting the child returned to the proper family."

As important as it is to get Yahquin back with his grandparents where he belongs, we also want to clear up something people keep asking in these situations: why is this a silver alert, and not an amber alert, which is what we usually associate with missing children.

An Amber Alert automatically activates the emergency alert system and puts messages about the missing child on the highway signs. A Silver Alert is actually a step down from that.

"At this point there's no reason to believe the child is in any physical danger," said Lt. Ferace.

That's why it's only a Silver Alert. Police don't think McDonald is going to hurt her son. She's just not supposed to have him because the state took Yahquin away from her. She's been arrested for drugs, motor vehicle violations and attempted larceny.

Police think McDonald may be taking Yahquin to New York City where the boy's father's family lives.
  
The father himself is currently behind bars.
  
If you see Yahquin or his mother, call police immediately.