An AMBER Alert has been issued for two young girls who were allegedly taken by their father after their mother was found fatally shot in Hanford, California. Authorities believe the suspect, 23-year-old Jonathan Alexis Maldonado-Cruz, may be attempting to flee to Mexico with his daughters, 3-year-old Arya Maldonado and 2-year-old Alana Maldonado.
The California Highway Patrol and Kings County Sheriff’s Office are urging the public to be on high alert. Both girls have brown hair and brown eyes. Arya is 3 feet tall and weighs 25 pounds, while Alana is 2 feet 5 inches tall and weighs around 20 pounds. Their father, who is now considered a suspect in their mother’s death, is 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs 215 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes.
Authorities responded to a home on Fourth Place in Hanford around 4 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a call for a welfare check on an adult woman. When deputies arrived, they discovered the woman—believed to be the girls’ mother—fatally shot. Investigators now say Maldonado-Cruz likely left the residence around 1 a.m. Tuesday, hours before law enforcement was called.
Authorities believe the suspect and the two girls are traveling in a gray 2020 Hyundai Elantra with California license plate 8LZD084. Given the nature of the case, officials have warned that Maldonado-Cruz is armed and dangerous, urging the public not to approach if they see him or the vehicle. Instead, they should call 911 immediately.
Investigators suspect he may be heading toward Mexico, raising urgency in the search as authorities work to locate the children before they potentially cross the border. Law enforcement agencies have advised anyone with information to contact the Kings County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 852-2720 or dial 911.
Authorities are stressing the importance of public awareness in cases like these, urging people to share information and remain vigilant in hopes of bringing Arya and Alana home safely.