Four-Month Old Infant Abducted By Father

Los Angeles – On September 13, 2000, at 9:00 a.m., officers responded to the 1400 block of East 53rd Street for a domestic dispute. The 22-year-old female victim reported that she had left her 4-month old infant in the care of a live-in babysitter. The victim was notified by the babysitter that the biological father had taken the 4-month-old from her residence. The suspect left a note indicating that he would take the infant to Mexico.

The infant was under a doctor’s care for a fever and an eye infection for which the infant was taking medication. The infant is also breast-fed. Our concern is for the infant’s health and welfare. We are asking for the community’s assistance in locating the infant and the father.

The infant is identified as Bianca Abigail Candia. Bianca has a red birthmark on the inside of her right arm and was wearing a bracelet engraved with "Abigail."

The suspect has been identified as Bernardino Popoca, 25-year-old, male Hispanic, black hair, brown eyes, 5’2" in height and weights 180 pounds. The suspect has a scar on his forehead and a mole on his left cheek.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspect or the infant is urged to contact Newton Detectives Maria E. Rivas or Rosa Moreno at 323-846-6569 or the Watch Commander at 323-845-6547.

This press release was prepared by Officer Charlotte Broughton, Media Relations Section 213-485-3586.