Following the discovery of the girls’ mother shot dead at a home, Kings County authorities on Wednesday issued an Amber Alert for two young girls they say were kidnapped by their father.
In response to a request for a welfare check on an adult female, officers were sent to a residence on the 11500 block of Fourth Place in Hanford on Tuesday at approximately 4 p.m., the Kings County Sheriff’s Office said in a press statement.
When the deputies reached the house, they discovered the woman dead from a gunshot wound. After taking over the investigation, sheriff’s detectives determined that the accused gunman was Jonathan Alexis Maldonado-Cruz, a resident of Hanford, age 23. According to the authorities, Maldonado-Cruz and the victim’s two female children fled the house at around one in the morning on Tuesday.
The sheriff’s office issued an Amber Alert for the two daughters, Alana Maldonado, age two, and Arya Maldonado, age three, with assistance from the California Highway Patrol. The eyes and hair of both girls are brown. Maldonado-Cruz is thought to be traveling to Mexico after leaving the house in a grey, four-door 2020 Hyundai Elantra with California license plate 8LZD084.
Kings, Fresno, Kern, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Orange, and Imperial Counties are all under an AMBER alert.Last seen: Home Avenue and East 4th Place KingsCoSheriff @HanfordCALL 9-1-1pic IF SEEN.Twitter: FCDg5aVmBx to
According to authorities, the counties of Kings, Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Orange, and Imperial were all under an Amber Alert.
It is requested that anybody with information on the case, Jonathan’s or the kids’ whereabouts, or Detective Tyler Haener be contacted at (559) 670-9320, (559) 852-2818, or Kings County Sheriff’s Dispatch at (559) 852-2720. Additionally, information can be submitted anonymously by calling (559) 852-4554.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.