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Abducted boy found safe in Lancaster

by The AV Times Staff • September 8, 2014

Johnnie Melendez Jr. was located at a residence in Lancaster, recovered unharmed, and reunited with his family at the Lancaster Sheriff's Station Sunday afternoon. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)
Johnnie Melendez Jr. was located at a residence in Lancaster, recovered unharmed, and reunited with his family at the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station Sunday afternoon. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)

LANCASTER – A 5-year-old boy abducted from a hotel in San Diego County was found safe at a Lancaster home shortly after an AMBER Alert was issued, authorities said.

Johnnie Melendez Jr. was reunited with his family at the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station late Sunday afternoon.

The boy’s mother, Gladys Suarez, was arrested for kidnapping by National City Police.

National City Police said Gladys Suarez allegedly kidnapped the boy from the Sweetwater Inn at 2435 Sweetwater Road, and the boy’s father discovered him missing around 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

An AMBER Alert that included this photo was issued Sunday morning. Hours later, Gladys Suarez was arrested for abducting her son and jailed on $100,000 bail.
An AMBER Alert that included this photo was issued Sunday morning. Hours later, Gladys Suarez was arrested for abducting her son and jailed on $100,000 bail.

“After searching for about an hour and a half, the father called the police. Officers responded and learned that a male subject from the hotel had given the mother and child a ride to the Shell Gas Station off of the Leucadia Blvd exit in Encinitas,” Sgt. Mike Harlan said in a statement.

“[The mother] made a statement to the father via cellular phone to effect of, ‘you’re never going to see him again’, and if she could not have the child then no one can,” Sgt. Harlan stated.

An AMBER Alert was issued Sunday morning, which included pictures of Gladys Suarez and the boy.

“Gladys Suarez contacted the Los Angeles [County] Sheriff’s Station in Lancaster after seeing the AMBER Alert.  Johnnie Melendez Jr. was located at a residence in Lancaster and recovered unharmed,” Sgt. Harlan stated.

Gladys Suarez was transported to the San Diego County jail, where she was booked around 9 p.m. Sunday on suspicion of kidnapping and held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

2 comments for "Abducted boy found safe in Lancaster"

  1. bird says

    September 8, 2014 at 1:33 pm

    parents that hate each other more than they love their child. Children need love and stability and if this doesn’t happen then there will be big problems later on.

  2. Saints says

    September 8, 2014 at 11:12 am

    Can’t do whatever you want,whenever you want.whatever happened in that relationship before,for baby boy to be with his dad.must have been taken care of in a court.neither parent can’t just make the decision “if I can’t have him no one will” very unstable way of thinking.and needless to say against the law….

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