Federal authorities are searching for a California woman suspected of kidnapping her 16-month-old biological son and taking him across the southern border into Mexico.
Brigette Benitez, 31, is wanted by the FBI after allegedly failing to return her son Miguel Eduardo Zuniga Medina Jr. to his foster family following an unsupervised visit.
On February 6, Benitez picked up her son in Walnut, California, for a scheduled, unsupervised visit. But at the end of the visit, Benitez, who does not have legal custody of his son, did not return him to his legal guardian, according to the FBI.
The two were last seen in a black 2021 Toyota Camry with California license plate 8WAS968.
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Brigette Benitez, 31, is wanted by the FBI after allegedly failing to return her son Miguel Eduardo Zuniga Medina Jr., 16 months, to his foster family following an unsupervised visit. (FBI)
Benitez was charged with international parental kidnapping and a federal arrest warrant was issued for her Thursday.
The FBI said Benitez may have taken Miguel to Aguascalientes, Mexico, where his noncustodial father would likely live.
Investigators said Benitez crossed the border into Mexico on Feb. 6 at the Otay Mesa port of entry in San Diego County, according to KTLA.
Miguel's father was arrested last year for an alleged domestic violence incident in Los Angeles County. Medina Sr. also has a history of violence in the presence of children, according to the FBI.
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The FBI said Benitez may have taken Miguel to Aguascalientes, Mexico, where his noncustodial father would likely live. (iStock)
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Benitez and Medina Sr. lost custody of their son following the arrest and Miguel was placed in the custody of Child and Family Services.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Benitez or his son is asked to call their local FBI office or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.