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Two young girls who authorities say were abducted by their father after he allegedly killed their mother have been found safe, and the man taken into custody, officials said Thursday.
The situation prompted an Amber Alert Wednesday that included San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties. Authorities feared the suspect may have been headed to Mexico.
According to the Kings County Sheriff’s Office, Jonathan Alexis Maldonado-Cruz, 23, is suspected of fatally shooting the children’s mother, Madeline Rose Cuevas, 22 on Tuesday in Hanford. He then was believed to have fled with the children – Arya, 3, and Alana, 2.
UPDATE ON HOMICIDE & KIDNAPPING CASE
The KCSO Detective Unit, with the assistance of our State and Federal law enforcement partners, have located Alana and Arya Maldonado safe and have taken Jonathan Maldonado-Cruz into custody. pic.twitter.com/fxnTD5BnXs
— Kings County Sheriff’s Office (@KingsCoSheriff) January 30, 2025
Sheriff’s officials on Thursday posted a photo online of the two children after they were found. They appeared to be safe and unharmed.
Maldonado-Cruz was in custody. Authorities, however, did not say where he was arrested or where the kids were found.
“Thank you to everyone who assisted in spreading the word to help locate Alana and Arya,” the sheriff’s office posted. “The case developed quickly thanks to the support of the community.”