Princess Ilunga has been arrested in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, following a false report that her child was missing when her vehicle was stolen on January 16th. At a press conference on January 30th at 9 AM, Rock Island Police Chief Tim McCloud said Princess Ilunga had lied to police about Blessing being missing and was hiding her in her home, even calling Blessing by her Swhalai name of Baraka. Ilunga is charged with a Class 4 Felony for filing a false police report, and an arrest warrant was issued on January 30th.
Around 5 PM on January 30th, Princess Ilunga was arrested in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, during a traffic stop by the Wisconsin State Police. Wisconsin State Patrol conducted the traffic stop for suspended registration and an equipment violation. Ms. Ilunga was identified as the driver of the vehicle and taken into custody on the outstanding warrant. All seven children were in the car at the time of the stop and were taken to the Lake Mills Police Department until their father could pick them up. The custody of the seven children was turned over to Richard Aoci at approximately 10 PM from the Lake Mills Police Department. Ilunga is in custody of the Jefferson County Jail awaiting extraction to Illinois.
Read all the details from the press conference regarding the case of missing child Blessing here.
On January 16, 2025, at 6:05 AM, Ilunga left her vehicle running, which was stolen by juveniles. Princess Ilunga, 37, called 911 at 6.07 AM and reported that her vehicle was stolen. Ilunga told the dispatcher that her daughter was in the vehicle when it was stolen, and she confirmed this information six times to dispatch. Chief McCloud said there was not a language barrier and that Ilunga spoke good English and was easy to understand, even with an accent. The stolen vehicle was located approximately eight blocks away at 6:24 AM without Blessing or her car seat inside. After almost nine hours of civilians and 120 law enforcement officials from local, state, and federal agencies, Blessing Aoci was found near her home at 2:53 PM.