Father, Grandfather Charged in Abduction of Calif. Brothers Jacob and Justin Quinones
ANAHEIM, Calif. (CBS/AP) Police have charged four people in the kidnapping last week of two brothers, ages 2 and 4, who were abducted from outside their mother's southern California home.
The Orange County district attorney said Tuesday that the boys' father, Abraham Fernandez, 23, and grandfather, 52-year-old Louis Fernandez, have each been charged with two felony kidnapping counts and two counts of felony child abduction. The men and boys have not been found.
According to police the Houston men abducted 2-year-old Justin Quinones and 4-year-old Jacob Quinones when the boys were apparently following their mother who was emptying trash into a dumpster near her apartment complex around 8:00 p.m Thursday. On Tuesday, authorities issued arrest warrants for the two men, reports The Los Angeles Times.
Prosecutors say relatives Linda Fernandez and her husband, David Nicholas, have been arrested and charged for harboring the men and boys at their home in Monrovia later that night. Investigators claim Nichols rented the van used by Abraham and Louis Fernandez to abduct the boys.
Last week authorities issued a nationwide Amber Alert for a gray 2009 or newer make of a Dodge Caravan with tinted windows and a dent in the right front door.
Detectives are not aware of any custody disputes over the boys or any domestic violence in the family. According to police Sgt. Rick Martinez, Fernandez and the mother were never married, but lived in Texas until several months ago when she moved with the two boys to California.
"There are a lot of unanswered questions," Martinez said. "We don't know motivation, we don't know any anger or any problems that may exist, so until we can find these kids and prove that they are safe we won't rest."
Both boys were last seen wearing Buzz Lightyear T-shirts and gray shorts.
Justin, 2, is described as 2 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 38 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes.
Jacob, 4, is described as 3 feet tall, weighing 62 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Anaheim Police Department at (714) 765 4311.
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October 8, 2010 - Amber Alert: Two Boys, Jacob and Justin Quinones, Abducted Outside Anaheim Apartment