Mother of Jovani Ligurgo blasts state police over Amber Alert decision

<p>Maria Busone, the mother of the 2-year-old believed to have been killed along with his father in Virginia, says police didn&rsquo;t do enough to protect her child.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jun 6, 2018, 9:21 PM

Updated 2,157 days ago

Share:

Mother of Jovani Ligurgo blasts state police over Amber Alert decision
Maria Busone, the mother of the 2-year-old killed along with his father in Virginia, says police didn’t do enough to protect her child.
A multistate search for the toddler, Jovani, and his father John Ligurgo ended in tragedy when two bodies fitting their description were discovered inside Ligurgo’s Jeep Cherokee.
In an exclusive interview with News 12, Busone blasted state police for not activating an Amber Alert as soon as she reported him missing Tuesday.
“How many children need to be lost before a law is changed or criteria is changed? I'm now without my son for the rest of my life,” she said.
Suffolk police say they requested an Amber Alert for Jovani from state police but were denied.
“We followed protocol,” said Suffolk Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart. “We provided the necessary information and details to the state police, and at that time, they made the determination not to issue the Amber Alert.”
State police said Suffolk police did not provide enough information to meet the criteria for an Amber Alert when they were notified around 8 p.m. Tuesday.
In a statement to News 12, a state police spokesperson said, "A short time later, Suffolk County Police Department informed our investigators that the father had left the state hours earlier, prior to their request. Because their investigation had determined that the father and child had left New York state, we did not issue the Amber Alert.”
Busone and Ligurgo were scheduled to meet Thursday for a custody hearing. Now, Busone must make funeral arrangements.
“Now what do I have to show for all the good I did? The rest of my life in grief,” she told News 12.
Busone says she is considering taking legal action against the state police because she says someone needs to be held accountable for the loss of her son.
An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.


More from News 12
2:12
Stony Brook University professor arrested during protest speaks exclusively with News 12

Stony Brook University professor arrested during protest speaks exclusively with News 12

2:31
Cooldown with sun for Friday; chances for wet weather for part of weekend

Cooldown with sun for Friday; chances for wet weather for part of weekend

2:32
Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

1:53
Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

1:39
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

1:29
Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

0:44
Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

1:03
Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

0:22
Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

0:23
3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:54
Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

2:05
'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

0:32
Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

0:26
Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

0:24
Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments