Statewide Amber Alert Issued For 4 Kids Allegedly Taken By Parents
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The California Highway Patrol has issued a statewide Amber Alert after authorities say a couple allegedly fled a Boyle Heights home with their four young children.
Police said the children were taken from their maternal grandmother's home in the 1400 block of North Indiana Street about 12:30 p.m. Friday.
The children's parents, identified by police as Rose (also Rosa) Chairez and Enrique Felix, no longer have custody.
They are believed to be traveling in a dark PT Cruiser with tinted windows and white paper plates, Los Angeles police said in a written statement. The vehicle is also missing the right, rear hubcap.
The children are identified as 7-year-old Enrique Felix Jr., 5-year-old Justin Felix, and 1-year-old twins Janeth and Veronica Felix.
The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services placed the children in the custody of their grandmother because of alleged incidents of violence towards the children and their mother by Enrique Felix.
On Friday evening, authorities made a public plea to return the children. They echoed that on Saturday.
"The safety of the children is primary here and I think in this case, I'm asking you just to do the right thing and bring the children in if you are watching," said LAPD Capt. Martin Baez.
The family may be headed to Mexico, authorities said.
Law enforcement officials told KCAL9's Cristy Fajardo they were looking all over the state for the family.
Lt. Shannon Paulson on Saturday expressed frustration the family was still at large.
"If the parents are listening, we are asking you to come forward. Present yourselves, bring those children forward so that we can insure their safety," Paulson said.
The children's maternal grandmother, Maria Chairez, told KCAL9 earlier Saturday that the children had only been living with her for about a week.
Chairez said Felix held her down while her daughter scooped the children up.
She believes her daughter is being manipulated by Enrique and said he "is dangerous for my kids and for my babies, my daughter."
Anyone with more information as to this family's whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the LAPD at (323) 342-4191.
