Parent sought in child’s abduction

EARLIMART — Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating a woman who allegedly abducted her 7-year-old son from his father, the boy's custodial parent.

Tulare County Sheriff’s Department deputies from the Pixley substation were sent to the 1100 block of Cannon Street in Earlimart at 7:40 p.m. Wednesday to investigate a report of a missing child.

Detectives from the department’s Juvenile Investigations and Violent Crimes Unit continued the investigation Thursday.

The detectives developed information that the suspect, described only as a Hispanic female adult, and the boy were in Mexicali, Mexico, the Sheriff’s Department reports. The detectives were able to contact the suspect and family members in Mexico.

After lengthy negotiations, the woman agreed to release her son to authorities at the Calexico border crossing, with the understanding that the child would be returned to his father, the Sheriff’s Department reports.

The child was taken into protective custody at the border by agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, and was later returned to his father. The suspect remains at large.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Detective Lupe Shade or Detective Jason Kennedy at 733-6012 or 1-800-808-0488.