Amber Alert issued for baby taken from Guerneville home

Concern for a 7-month-old boy abducted from his Guerneville home prompted authorities Monday to issue an Amber Alert for the baby and his mother.

Fifteen-pound Henry Massey disappeared from his crib sometime Saturday night into Sunday morning. He lives in Guerneville with his grandmother, who has legal custody of the brown-haired, gray-eyed boy.

The boy's mother, Hannah Ruth Ashley, 35, of Monte Rio, is suspected of taking her son. There was no sign of forced entry into the house and Ashley had made recent comments during supervised visits that she wanted her child back, Sonoma County sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Crum said.

The grandmother discovered the boy's crib was empty at about 8:30 a.m. Sunday and called 911. Sheriff's officials reported the missing baby Monday morning, issuing a photo of Ashley, the baby and the license of her silver Subaru Forester, 5JKZ255.

Sheriff's officials initially said they didn't believe the baby was in danger. Later Monday, officials from Sonoma County child protective services feared the infant wasn't being adequately cared for, Crum said. That determination led to the Amber Alert, which generates widespread publicity of child abductions through news outlets and social media.

Information developed Monday indicated Ashley might be headed north, Crum said. An older brother said he hoped people would feel compassion for his sister, who has struggled in life and needs support.

“This is a sweet human being,” said Mark Ashley, who also lives in Sonoma County.

Officials asked anyone who spots the woman, baby or the car to contact deputies at 707-565-2121 or 911.

You can reach Staff Writer Randi Rossmann at 707-521-5412 or randi.rossmann@pressdemocrat.com.