LANCASTER, Calif. (CNS) - A 31-year-old woman and her 2-month-old daughter who authorities said were abducted by the woman's husband in Lancaster were found safe Monday, but the suspect remained at large.
Sabrina Sanchez and her daughter Itzel Sanchez had been last seen about noon Sunday with 25-year-old Efrain Sanchez-Jiminez, according to the California Highway Patrol, which issued an Amber Alert early Monday morning due to the alleged abduction.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced mid-afternoon Monday that Sanchez and Itzel had been found safe at the U.S.-Mexico border by U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel, but no other details were released.
Sanchez-Jiminez remained at large. The vehicle he was driving, a silver 2007 Buick Lucerne with a Colorado license plate number AUI-X94, also had not been found as of Monday afternoon.
He is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall, 130 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, wearing a white tank top and silver shorts.
"It is believed the victims left with the suspect out of duress and fear for their safety, after he previously committed a sexual assault upon a family member," the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a statement when announcing the abduction.
"Suspect Sanchez has made recent threats to murder his wife and child and he is believed to be armed with a handgun. Suspect Sanchez should be considered armed and dangerous."
Anyone with information regarding the case was urged to contact the Sheriff's Major Crimes Bureau at 562-946-7893 or the Lancaster Sheriff's Station at 661-948-8466. Tipsters who choose to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
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