LAPD Issues C.A.R.E. Alert

The Los Angeles Police Department is requesting the media to provide the public with the following information to assist the law enforcement efforts in locating a five year-old child that was abducted by her natural father, 27 year-old, Juan Luis Rodriguez.
On November 4, 2002, at approximately 12:00 p.m., 5 year-old Maria Fernanda Rodriguez was observed being accompanied by her father, Luis Juan Rodriguez.

At the time they were last seen together, suspect Rodriguez telephoned the victim’s mother and stated that he wanted to pick up their child in common for a visit. The victim’s mother agreed to let the suspect see the victim and had a mutual friend pick up the victim and transport her to the suspect. The suspect then telephoned the victim’s mother, stated that he was going to take their child to Mexico, and would never bring her back. The suspect used no weapon.

The suspect and the victim’s mother are separated, and there is an existing restraining order against Luis Juan Rodriguez.

Suspect Rodriguez is a 27-year-old male Hispanic, black hair, brown eyes, 6’0″, 200 lbs., with a heavy build. The missing child, 5-year-old Maria Fernanda Rodriguez, is a female Hispanic, brown hair, brown eyes, with a medium build. Maria has a mole on the back of her left leg.

Photos of both the victim and suspect are available at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.

Anyone with information should contact the Los Angeles Police Department Rampart Area Detectives at 213-207-2000. On weekends and off-hours, call the 24 hour toll free Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

This media alert was prepared by Public Information Officer Lucy Diaz, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.