Abducted Harbor City Boys Found in Mexico

The brothers, ages 9 and 10, were "physically fine" and returned to their grandmother's care, officials said

Two Harbor City boys who were abducted by their father - a parolee who has mental health issues - were found in Mexico and returned to U.S. authorities, federal officials said Monday.

Los Angeles County sherriff's detectives had been searching for the boys, 10-year-old Charles Samuel Baines Jr. and 9-year-old Nathaniel James Baines, since their disappearance Wednesday.

A Mexican citizen on Sunday took the children to the San Ysidro border crossing, where border officers determined that the boys were upset, but physically fine, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection representative Jackie Wasiluk.

Wasiluk said the boys were returned to their grandmother, who has legal custody of them.

On Sunday, border officers received custody of the boys' father, 36-year-old Charles Samuel Baines, Wasiluk said.

Using fingerprints, officers confirmed Baines identity and that he has an outstanding felony warrant for a parole violation, Wasiluk said.

Baines was booked into the Vista County Jail.

More Southern California Stories:

Contact Us