A man and a woman arrested in connection with a minor who was reported missing in Southern California earlier this month are facing multiple charges, including child abduction.
The unidentified juvenile was reported missing on May 2 in the unincorporated La Crescenta-Montrose region of Los Angeles County before being located three days later and safely reunited with his family, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department stated in a news release and announced on X Friday.
The disappearance prompted widespread concern by family members and resulted in a critical missing juvenile report.
“The efforts undertaken to find the minor included canvassing the community, investigative interviews, wireless emergency alerts, and the utilization of technology,” the Sheriff’s Department said. “Additionally, the use of scent dogs and the cooperation of business entities were helpful in the investigative efforts.”
The handling detective continued to follow up on the investigation and identified Brandon Holguin, 25, and Kayleigh Kaplan, 23, from Thousand Oaks as two suspects connected to the disappearance.
Holguin and Kaplan were arrested and booked on suspicion of child abduction, child endangerment, human trafficking, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, identity theft, drug sales involving minors and use of a minor in cannabis crimes, the Sheriff’s Department stated.
Both are scheduled to be arraigned at Pasadena court on Tuesday.
“I wish to express my deepest thanks to the hard work of the Crescenta Valley Station Detective Bureau, who worked tirelessly to safely reunite a child with their family and bring these criminals to justice,” Crescenta Valley Acting Captain Ryan A. Vienna said.
The news release defined human trafficking as any person who deprives or violates the personal liberty of another with the intent to obtain forced labor or services.
