The father of a missing toddler has been charged with her mother’s murder, police said at a news conference Friday.

NBC Connecticut reports that Jose Morales, 43, has been charged with the murder of Christine Holloway, who was discovered dead in her Ansonia home in early December. Her 1-year-old daughter Vanessa has not been seen since before her mother was found dead of blunt force trauma.

Morales, who is believed to be the girl’s father and was Holloway’s boyfriend, has been in custody on an unrelated weapons charge since December 3.

Ansonia Police reportedly announced at a news conference Friday that Morales has been charged with murder and tampering with evidence. He is being held on $5 million bond.

“To this day, we continue to follow every possible lead in trying to locate baby Vanessa,” Ansonia Police Chief Andrew Cota said at the news conference.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, police had said in December that they believed the little girl may be in the company of a safe person and urged that person to come forward. Investigators also search clothing donation bins in the area, reportedly following up on a tip.

According to the NBC Connecticut report, Lieutenant Patrick Lynch said at the news conference that Morales was the last known person to be seen with Vanessa, but it is not clear what, if any, role authorities believe he had in the girl’s disappearance.

Authorities have not yet commented on a possible motive in Holloway’s murder.

Anyone with information on Vanessa’s whereabouts is urged to call FBI tip line at 203-503-5555 or the Ansonia Police Department at 203-735-1885 or through Tip411.

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.