Federal authorities are seeking a woman they believe kidnapped her biological child and potentially brought him across the border into Mexico.
Brigette Benitez, 31, is wanted by the FBI after she allegedly failed to return Miguel Eduardo Zuniga Medina Jr., 16 months, to his foster parent after an unsupervised visit. The visit, which took place in Walnut, was on Feb. 6 and the pair were last seen in a black 2021 Toyota Camry with a California license plate reading 8WAS968.
The FBI says Benitez may have taken the child to Aguascalientes, Mexico, where Medina’s non-custodial father is believed to live.
Last year, Medina’s father, Miguel Eduardo Medina Zuniga Sr.b was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in Los Angeles County. Following the arrest, Benitez and Medina Sr., who the FBI said has a history of violence in the presence of children, were stripped of custody of Medina Jr. by the Superior Court in Los Angeles County.
Investigators have established that Benitez crossed the border into Mexico on Feb. 6 at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego County. She’s been charged with international parental kidnapping in the U.S. District Court in L.A.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Benitez is asked to call their local FBI office or nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Information may also be provided at www.tips.fbi.gov.