Update: Two girls abducted by father following homicide in Hanford found safe, deputies say
The search for the two children who were taken by their father following a homicide in Central California has ended — with the girls found safe, deputies said in an update Thursday.
An Amber Alert was issued Wednesday for Alana and Arya Maldonado after they were abducted in Hanford following the killing of their mother, 22-year-old Madeline Rose Cuevas of Hanford, by their father, Jonathan Maldonado-Cruz, deputies said.
Deputies on Thursday said the Kings County Sheriff’s Office and federal agents located Alana and Arya and have taken Maldonado-Cruz into custody.
Sheriff David Robinson said the suspect’s mother called a detective and said he’s “ready to turn himself in.”
The children and Maldonado-Cruz were in Tijuana.
“When the staff talked to the (victim’s father) earlier you know he was very emotional about it,” Robinson said. “I can’t even imagine what the family is going through. ... There’s things in your career that last with you for a lifetime, and this will be one of those cases.
“The rest of the work starts and if we get enough information, which I believe we will, to book this guy tonight and charge him. I hope he rots in hell.”
Kings County deputies initially got a call around 4 p.m. Tuesday from family members who were unable to get ahold of the victim. Deputies found her with a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead.
Deputies believe the shooting happened at 1 a.m. Tuesday.
The victim and suspect are the parents of the two children, 2 and 3 years old, though they are ex-girlfriend and ex-boyfriend, deputies said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Tyler Haener at 559-670-9320 or 559-852-2818 or Kings County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 559-852-2720. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling 559-852-4554.
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This story was originally published January 30, 2025 at 12:08 PM.
