Crime & Safety

Authorities Recover the Boys Allegedly Abducted by Their Father

The boys were recovered unharmed at the San Ysidro border crossing in San Diego Saturday, authorities said.

Two Harbor City boys abducted by their non-custodial father were recovered unharmed at the San Ysidro border crossing today, authorities said.

The boys, 9 and 10 years old, were abducted on Wednesday by suspect Charles Samuel Baines Sr., a parolee with mental health issues.

They were taken from the home of Baines mother -- the children's custodial grandmother -- who lives in the 24800 block of Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials said.

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A good Samaritan brought the boys to the crossing and they were turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, officials said.

Detectives from the sheriff's Carson Station responded to the border patrol office and took custody of the youths, authorities said.

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The children were medically cleared and returned to their grandmother, according to the sheriff's department.

Baines, 36, remains at large and is believed to be in Mexico, officials said.

Investigators had suspected Baines took the boys to Mexico after abducting them.

A vehicle stolen from the boys' grandmother has not been recovered and possibly is in Baines' possession, officials said.

It's a red 2008 four-door Kia Spectra with the license plate number 6FMN288.

Baines is black, 6 feet 4, 270 pounds. He has brown eyes, a shaved head and the words "Drug Cartel" tattooed on his left cheek.

Anyone with information concerning Baines' whereabouts was urged to contact the Carson Station watch commander at (310) 830-1123. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

-- City News Service


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