AURORA, IL – Authorities say a Texas woman has been arrested after allegedly attempting to abduct two children from a suburban home and transport them out of the country in a plot arranged by the children’s non-custodial father.
Police identified the suspect as Cindy Sanchez, 47, of Fort Worth, Texas. Sanchez faces four felony charges, including two counts each of kidnapping by deceit or enticement, unlawful restraint, and child abduction by a parent without custody, according to court records in Kane County.
The incident began Thursday afternoon in Aurora, a suburb about 40 miles west of Chicago, when officers were called to a home on Rosewood Avenue following reports of a possible kidnapping. Family members reported that two children, ages 11 and 13, were with relatives when an unfamiliar woman arrived claiming she had been sent by their mother to take them to another location out of state.
Concern arose quickly as the children’s mother, upon learning of the disappearance, told authorities she had never authorized anyone to remove her children from the home. The police immediately launched an investigation, working in coordination with the Chicago Police Department to track the children and the suspect.
Law enforcement located Sanchez and both children at Chicago’s Midway International Airport later that day. Police officers apprehended Sanchez at the airport, and both children were recovered unharmed, authorities said.
Investigators soon uncovered details suggesting that Sanchez acted with the alleged encouragement of the children’s father, who resides in Mexico and does not have legal custody of his children. Authorities believe the father paid Sanchez to take the children from Illinois to Mexico, planning for them to cross the border from Texas.
Authorities say Sanchez is related to the children’s father but provided no details regarding the relationship. The children were returned to the care of their family after the airport incident.
Sanchez was booked into the Kane County Adult Justice Center on Friday following her arrest. She appeared in court the same day and was released on Saturday after a judge issued a release order.
The suspect’s next scheduled court appearance is set for September 18 for a status hearing on the case.
Officials have not released additional information regarding possible charges for the children’s father or whether further arrests may be made. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to review evidence and interview those involved.