Federal authorities are searching for a California woman suspected of kidnapping her 16-month-old son and taking him across the southern border to Mexico.
Brigitte Benitez, 31, is wanted by the FBI for allegedly failing to return her son, Miguel Eduardo Zuniga Medina Jr., to his foster family after an unsupervised visit.
On February 6, Benitez went to Walnut, California, to pick up her son, as scheduled and unsupervised. However, at the end of the visit, Benitez did not have legal custody of his son and did not return him to his legal guardian, according to the FBI.
The two were last seen driving a black 2021 Toyota Camry with California license plate 8WAS968.
Two Americans charged with killing Italian police officer appear in court after conviction dismissed
Brigitte Benitez, 31, is wanted by the FBI for allegedly failing to return her 16-month-old son, Miguel Eduardo Zuniga Medina Jr., to foster care after visiting him unsupervised. . (FBI)
Benitez was charged with international parental kidnapping and a federal arrest warrant was issued on Thursday.
The FBI said Benitez may have taken Miguel to Aguascalientes, Mexico, where her non-custodial father reportedly lives.
Investigators said Benitez crossed the border into Mexico at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego County on February 6, according to KTLA.
Miguel’s father was arrested last year in Los Angeles County on suspicion of domestic violence. The FBI said Medina Sr. also has a history of violence in front of her children.
California postman fights back after being badly punched, video shows
The FBI said Benitez may have taken Miguel to Aguascalientes, Mexico, where her non-custodial father reportedly lives. (St. Petersburg)
Click to get the FOX News app
Benitez and Medina Sr. lost custody of their son after their arrest, and Miguel was placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Benitez or her son is asked to call their local FBI office or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
