Parents Facing Loss Of Custody Abscond With Kids: LAPD

Los Angeles CA

28 December, 2021

3:19 PM

Description

LOS ANGELES, CA — Police are asking the public for help finding a Sun Valley couple that took their children and fled in the face of a pending arrest and possible loss of custody, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The couple was under investigation for alleged neglect of their three children and narcotics abuse after their youngest child tested positive for cocaine shortly after he was born Dec. 2, according to police. Authorities believe Luis Avalos and Arely Anaya may have taken their family to Reno, Nevada after the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services sought a court order to place their children in protective custody. Facing possible arrest, the couple disappeared Monday with their newborn Legend Avalos, and 4-year-old Prince Anaya and 5-year-old King Anaya, authorities allege. The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services sought a court order to place the children in protective custody. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the parents were made aware of DCFS' intention to remove their children from the home and no longer responded to phone calls, nor answered their door for social workers. On Monday, the department spoke with detectives from the LAPD's Foothill juvenile division and said they were seeking a court order and an arrest warrant for the parents. The LAPD responded to the family's residence in the 8900 block of Haddon Avenue in Sun Valley, but neither the parents nor the children were located. Witnesses told authorities that the parents fled with the children on Thursday with a possible destination of Reno, Nevada. Anyone who has seen the family or has any information regarding their whereabouts was asked to contact the LAPD's Foothill division at 818-756-8861. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-527- 3247). Those wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- 8477 or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org. City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.