The search for a baby missing since 2019 continued on in Connecticut, the day after her father was sentenced to 65 years behind bars for the beating death of his girlfriend, Christine Holloway.
Jose Morales in April was convicted of murder and evidence tampering in connection with Holloway’s slaying, which occurred at her home in Ansonia, just west of New Haven, some five years ago. Her bruised and naked body was found in the bathtub on Dec. 12, 2019 — and the couple’s 14-month-old daughter, Vanessa, has been missing ever since.
Efforts to find the little girl have continued over the years. Authorities previously said Morales was a suspect in her disappearance, but he was never charged.
Christine Holloway and daughter Vanessa Morales. (Facebook)
Prosecutors said Morales spent the day after the killing attempting to clean up the crime scene. His efforts included ditching a bloodstained diaper pail and towel found, which were later located in a clothing donation bin. He also reportedly stopped for cigarettes and cigars while Holloway’s body remained in the tub.
Before handing down her sentence on Monday, Judge Shari Murphy called the crime “gruesome,” adding that it showed Morales had little care for human life, according to CBS News.
“Mr. Morales, you are a dangerous person, a significant threat to society and you need to be removed from the community for a substantial period of time,” the judge said.
Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool
Steven Holloway, Christine Holloway’s brother, reads a victim’s impact statement written by their mother, Deborah, during the sentencing hearing for Jose Morales in Milford, Conn., on Monday. (Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool)
Many of Holloway’s family members and loved ones were present for Morales’ sentencing hearing, the Connecticut Post reported. They all sported white T-shirts with an image of Holloway on the front and baby Vanessa on the back.
“He deserves to die in jail and rot in Hell,” Holloway’s brother, Steven, said, per the Post. “He shows no remorse. Not one tear has come down his face this whole time.”
His fiancee, Jodi Jacobellis, echoed the sentiment. She said Morales is “not a human being. He’s nothing but monster.”
