A 29-year-old Sylmar woman and her three children who had not been seen in nearly a week and were feared to have been the victims of a kidnapping were found safe Tuesday when they crossed into the United States from Mexico.
Liliana Lopez, and her children, Jakob Cabrera, 9; Steven Matthew Lopez, 6; and Linda Lopez, 5, crossed into the United States about 1:45 p.m. at the San Ysidro Point of Entry, and they met with Robbery-Homicide Division detectives investigating the case, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Esteban Lopez, 28, the father of at least two of the children, was still being sought by police and is believed to be in Mexico, according to the LAPD.
Officers responded to a home in the 13600 block of Fellows Avenue about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and determined a possible kidnapping may have occurred at the location, police said.
After questioning the woman and children, detectives plan to present the results of their investigation to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office to determine if criminal charges are appropriate, police said.
Esteban Lopez is 5-feet-8-inches tall and weighs 180 pounds with a tattoo of "Lopez" on his chest, according to police.
Anyone with information was asked to call LAPD Detectives Arroyo or Chamberlain at 213-486-6840. Anonymous tips can be submitted to L.A. Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or lacrimestoppers.org.
