Jul 6, 2008 7:26 pm US/Pacific
Boy, Allegedly Kidnapped By Father, Found Safe
MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (CBS) ―
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Lonnie Ramos is suspected of kidnapping his 9-year-old son, Ryan, after shooting his estranged wife.
CBS
Authorities on Sunday announced that Ryan Ramos, allegedly kidnapped by his father last week, has been found safe in Mexico.
Lonnie Ramos, the boy's father, allegedly shot his estranged wife and then kidnapped Ryan, prompting a nationwide Amber Alert, according to Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
"Ryan Ramos is in the hands of the embassy in Juarez, Mexico," Amormino told reporters.
Lonnie Ramos has not been found, but there were reports he had been involved in a traffic accident in Mexico.
"We are still looking for the father," Amormino said. "We have received information that there was a car accident in Juarez."
Amormino said the description matched the suspect, but "we have not confirmed whether Lonnie Ramos was the victim."
The announcement was made at Mission Hospital, where Gynnae Ramos is recovering from a gunshot wound to the face.
"The mother's condition has been changed just a few moments ago to good," Amormino said. "She will survive."
The mom had driven to the father's home on Wednesday to pick up their son for a court ordered custody exchange and had a friend and her daughter in the car when Lonnie Ramos allegedly fired through the windshield, striking her in the face.
A nationwide Amber Alert was issued, and Saturday, authorities got a tip that an RV Ramos was believed to have rented had been parked near the border crossing at Andrade, a small town in Imperial County near the Mexican border.
"Witnesses stated the suspect and the abducted child were last seen crossing the border into Mexico," Amormino said earlier.
On Thursday, Ramos may have tried to buy plane tickets at John Wayne Airport but was unable to do so because he refused to produce identification or submit a name, according to reports.
According to court records, Gynnae Ramos filed for a divorce in May 2003, and has since been in a contentious divorce battle with her husband. She made statements to the court that she had been threatened by Ramos and was afraid he would take out his anger on their son, it was reported.
According to court records filed by Ramos and his attorney, Ramos believed his wife was trying to prevent him from having a relationship with his son, the Register reported.
"They've been going through probably one of the nastiest custody
battles I've ever seen," Ramos's roommate Randy Jick told reporters.
On at least two previous custody exchanges, police had been called because of disturbances, the Register reported.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
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