Wilbelys Lopez Candelario, 17, and her 6-month-old daughter were last seen together in Fort Myers earlier this week.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Police are searching for a 17-year-old mother and her 6-month-old daughter after the pair disappeared from Fort Myers, prompting authorities to classify the case as an urgent search involving two young and potentially vulnerable missing people.
Wilbelys Lopez Candelario was last seen with her daughter, Marbelys Lopez, on Tuesday, Aug. 25, according to information released by the Fort Myers Police Department and reported by local and national news organizations. Police described the mother and infant as “missing and endangered,” while stressing that investigators had not identified evidence showing they were necessarily facing an immediate threat.
Authorities said the pair were last seen at 3650 Michigan Ave. in Fort Myers. Police described Candelario as about 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing approximately 115 pounds. She was wearing a black blouse and gray pants when she was last seen. Officials have released photographs of the mother and child as part of the effort to determine where they went after leaving the area.
The circumstances surrounding their disappearance remain unclear. Police have not publicly said why Candelario left, where she might have been headed or whether investigators believe anyone else was traveling with her and the baby. Authorities also have not announced evidence of foul play or publicly identified a suspect connected to the disappearance.
A Fort Myers police spokesperson told the New York Post that the available circumstances did not necessarily indicate that Candelario or her daughter were in danger. However, the spokesperson said their ages made locating them more urgent. Police said their immediate goal was to find both mother and child and determine that they were safe.
The search gained wider attention after photographs and information released by police began circulating online. Sami Maddox, identified in news reports as one of Candelario’s former teachers, shared the police notice on social media and encouraged others to spread information about the missing pair. The public attention expanded beyond Southwest Florida as national and Spanish-language news outlets reported the case.
Police have released few details beyond the last-known location, Candelario’s physical description and the clothing she was believed to be wearing. Investigators have not publicly disclosed whether surveillance footage, cellphone information, vehicle records or witness statements have provided clues about the pair’s movements after they were last seen. No destination has been publicly identified.
The case involves both a minor mother and an infant, which police said contributed to the urgency surrounding the search. Authorities have not explained whether any medical concerns, family circumstances or other factors played a role in the missing-and-endangered designation. Reports describing the investigation have emphasized that the classification should not be interpreted as confirmation that either mother or child has been harmed.
As of Friday morning, the latest verified public reports continued to describe Candelario and Marbelys as missing. Fort Myers police had not publicly released additional confirmed information explaining their disappearance or announced where they might have gone. The investigation remained focused on locating the mother and child and confirming their well-being.
Author note: Last updated August 28, 2026.