TAMPA, Fla. — Police are "deeply concerned" as they continue searching for a missing woman who they say is connected to an overnight Amber Alert for a missing nine-year-old girl.
Tampa Police Department said the case started Sunday morning when Sylvia Pagan, 34, was last seen on the 10400 block of Altman Street.
Then, around 11:30 p.m., the Suwanee County Sheriff's Office was contacted by a detective from a Florida Police Department about a kidnapped child, later determined to be Pagan's nine-year-old daughter. The detective said the girl was taken by Pagan's boyfriend, prompting the Amber Alert.
Deputies then arrived at a motel at the intersection of CR 136 and I-75, where they confirmed that the suspect, Jovanni Caceres Steffani, 38, and the child had checked in. After entering the room, deputies said they found Steffani and the child.
According to the sheriff's office, deputies were able to rescue the girl and move her to safety, but Steffani refused to surrender and "began threatening to shoot himself."
Deputies said they attempted to reason with Steffani for over an hour. Tampa Police said Steffani then produced a handgun and shot himself in the head. He was given emergency aid but died from his injuries.
The Amber Alert was canceled after the girl was found safe.
Officials are asking the public to call Tampa Police at 813-231-6130 if they see Pagan or have any information that could assist with this case.
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