The FBI has arrested a suspect in Mexico in connection with the disappearance of his 14-year-old niece.
Antonio Moreno, 31, who had lived in Kaysville, Utah, for the past three years, abruptly traveled to Mexico on June 30 with his niece and two daughters, ages 4 and 6, the FBI’s Salt Lake City office said. Moreno did not ask their mothers’ permission before leaving with the children.
All three girls were found safe by Mexican authorities in Veracruz, Mexico, around 9:30 p.m. Friday, the FBI said in a news release. Moreno was also found with the girls.
Moreno’s niece is an American citizen and his daughters are Mexican citizens.
According to the FBI, a federal arrest warrant has been issued for Moreno on charges including kidnapping in his niece’s disappearance.
“Extradition proceedings will be initiated to bring Moreno back to the United States to face these charges,” the FBI said.
In a news release issued before the girls were found, the FBI said it believed Moreno and the three girls were traveling together. Surveillance video from Mexico showed the three girls getting into a taxi, the FBI said, adding that it believed Moreno may have manipulated the cousin into getting into the cab.