Vermont State Police are defending their decision not to issue an Amber Alert as police in New England searched for a New York man wanted for a fire that killed three family members.
Alerts were issued Wednesday in New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut for the girlfriend of 23-year-old Matthew Slocum, and their infant son, Raymond, whom Slocum had allegedly abducted.
Slocum eventually surrendered in Gilsum, N.H., and was charged with setting the fire in the White Creek, N.Y., home.
Vermont State Police spokeswoman Stephanie Dasaro said Thursday that early information indicated Slocum was believed headed to Massachusetts and Connecticut.
When Vermont police learned he might have taken his son, they offered to issue the alert. She says New York authorities told them it was unnecessary.