HANFORD, CA – An intense search is underway for two young girls, aged 3 and 2, after their mother was discovered dead from a gunshot wound in a community near Hanford. Authorities have issued an Amber Alert, suspecting the children’s father, 23-year-old Jonathan Alexis Maldonado-Cruz, in their disappearance.
The grim discovery was made on Tuesday around 4 p.m. when deputies from the Kings County Sheriff’s Office responded to a welfare check in Home Garden, a small community southeast of Hanford, close to the municipal airport. Upon entering the residence, they found the woman deceased, sparking a manhunt for Maldonado-Cruz.
Maldonado-Cruz, described as armed and dangerous, was last seen early Tuesday morning, leaving the area with his daughters, Arya and Alana. He is characterized as standing 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 215 pounds, with black hair and eyes. The urgency of the situation has authorities on high alert, as they believe he may be driving a gray 2020 Hyundai Elantra, bearing California license plate 8LZ D084.
The sheriff’s office has released images of both Maldonado-Cruz and the missing children in hopes of generating leads. Arya, 3, is described as three feet tall, weighing 25 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. Her younger sister, Alana, 2, is reported to be two feet five inches tall, weighing 20 pounds, also with brown hair and eyes.
As of now, there have been no Amber Alert notifications received on phones in the area, adding to the urgency and concern for the children’s safety. Authorities are urging anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact the Kings County Sheriff’s Office immediately.
This tragic incident has shaken the local community, and neighbors are left in shock as they grapple with the reality of the situation. The focus now is on locating the children swiftly and safely, with law enforcement emphasizing the importance of public vigilance in aiding their search.
The investigation remains active, with detectives piecing together the events leading up to the woman’s death. Meanwhile, the community remains on edge, anxiously awaiting any news that could bring a resolution to this heart-wrenching case.