Urgent AMBER Alert: 2-Year-Old Saxon Clemons Missing in Northern Indiana – Believed in Extreme Danger with Suspect Father

 

Saxon Clemons and Dwayne Clemons

A chilling AMBER Alert has gripped northern Indiana as authorities desperately search for a vulnerable 2-year-old boy last seen in the small town of North Judson. The Starke County Sheriff’s Department issued the statewide alert late Thursday, warning that little Saxon Clemons is believed to be in extreme danger in the company of a suspect identified as his own father.

The alert, activated around 3 p.m. Thursday, paints a harrowing picture of a toddler separated from safety in an instant. Saxon, just 2 years old, stands at 2 feet 4 inches tall and weighs about 30 pounds. His blond hair and striking blue eyes make him easily recognizable, but it's the circumstances of his disappearance that have law enforcement on high alert. He was last seen wearing a blue and gray sweatshirt paired with matching blue and gray sweatpants – simple children's clothing that now serves as a lifeline for anyone who might spot him.

The primary suspect is 44-year-old Dwayne Clemons, described as a white male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Authorities believe Dwayne Clemons took Saxon from their home in North Judson, a tight-knit rural community in Starke County, located about 90 minutes southeast of Chicago. He was last observed driving a silver Chevrolet Trailblazer bearing Indiana license plate CRS242. The vehicle, a common SUV model in the Midwest, could blend into traffic on rural roads or highways leading out of the area, heightening the urgency of the search.

North Judson, with a population of around 1,800, is the kind of place where everyone knows their neighbors – a farming community dotted with modest homes, grain silos, and the occasional rumble of tractors along State Road 39. The town's quiet streets, lined with family homes and local businesses like the North Judson-San Pierre School, suddenly turned into a hub of frantic activity Thursday afternoon. Sheriff’s deputies descended on the scene, canvassing neighborhoods, knocking on doors, and pleading for tips from residents who might have seen the silver Trailblazer or the pair.

What led to this moment remains under investigation, but sources close to the case describe it as a potential custody-related incident gone terribly wrong. Dwayne Clemons, a local resident, has ties to the area, but details about his relationship with Saxon or any prior family disputes are being withheld to protect the ongoing probe. The Starke County Sheriff’s Department emphasized that Saxon is in "extreme danger," a phrase reserved for the most critical AMBER Alerts, signaling possible immediate threats to the child's life.

AMBER Alerts, named after 9-year-old Amber Hagerman who was abducted and murdered in Texas in 1996, are a proven tool in rescuing endangered children. The system, which stands for America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response, has facilitated the safe recovery of over 1,000 children nationwide since its inception. In Indiana alone, these alerts have mobilized communities time and again, flashing on highway signs, interrupting TV and radio broadcasts, and pinging cellphones across the state. Thursday's activation triggered immediate action: electronic billboards along Interstates 80/90 and 65 lit up with Saxon's photo and description, while local news stations broke into programming.

Sheriff Bill Dellinger, a veteran of Starke County law enforcement, addressed reporters outside the sheriff’s office in Knox, the county seat just a few miles away. "This is every parent's worst nightmare," Dellinger said, his voice steady but grave. "Saxon is just a baby – he can't speak up for himself or run away from danger. We're throwing everything we have at this: K-9 units, aviation support from the Indiana State Police, and our full detective resources. But we need the eyes and ears of the public."

The search parameters are broad, as the silver Trailblazer could head in any direction. North Judson sits at a crossroads, with easy access to major routes like U.S. Highway 35 and I-80/90, which could take the vehicle toward Chicago, South Bend, or even deeper into rural Indiana. Drones buzz overhead, scanning fields and wooded areas where the SUV might have pulled off. Roadblocks have been set up at key intersections, and tips are flooding in – though so far, no confirmed sightings.

Saxon's young age amplifies the peril. At 2 years old, he's too small to fend for himself, prone to hypothermia in February's chill (temperatures dipped into the low 30s Thursday evening), dehydration, or injury in an unfamiliar setting. Child safety experts note that the first few hours of an abduction are critical; statistics from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children show that quick public response dramatically boosts recovery odds.

The community has rallied with heartbreaking fervor. At the local Rex's Drive-In, a popular spot for families, owner Maria Gonzalez posted Saxon's photo on the marquee: "Bring Saxon Home – Have You Seen Him?" Churches in North Judson opened for prayer vigils, and parents at North Judson-San Pierre Elementary kept a sharp eye on playgrounds and streets. Social media exploded with shares, turning the AMBER Alert into a viral call to action.

Anyone with information, no matter how small – a glimpse of the silver Trailblazer, a child matching Saxon's description, or Dwayne Clemons in the area – is urged to act immediately. Contact the Starke County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 772-3771 or dial 911. Anonymous tips are welcome, and rewards may be available through partnerships with nonprofits like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

As night falls over Starke County's farmlands, the search presses on under floodlights and flashlight beams. Saxon Clemons, with his blond curls and innocent blue eyes, represents the fragility of childhood in a world that can turn upside down in moments. Northern Indiana holds its breath, united in hope that this story ends with a toddler safely back in loving arms. Time is of the essence – if you know something, say something. Now.