3 illegal immigrants charged with kidnapping, holding North Carolina mother, infant daughter for $1 million ransom
1-year-old Grecia Salome Alejandro-Benitez and her mother Alondra Michelle Benitez De Jesus were taken from their Buck Branch Drive home in Garner, North Carolina, late Monday evening.
Three illegal immigrants have been arrested and charged in connection with the kidnapping of a young North Carolina mother and her baby. Two suspects were arrested on Tuesday, while a third was arrested on Friday.
Per WRAL, siblings Paola Duran Duran, 25, and Miguel Angel Duran Duran, 23, were taken into custody by authorities on Tuesday and have been charged with two counts of first-degree kidnapping and one count of second-degree kidnapping each.
35-year-old Eleodoro “Leo” Estrada-Hernandez was taken into custody by the FBI on Friday morning and has been charged with two counts of first-degree kidnapping, one count of second-degree kidnapping, two counts of assault by pointing a firearm, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
Announcing the third arrest, FBI Director Kash Patel wrote, “This morning, our Agents arrested an individual Eleodoro “Leo” Estrada-Hernandez in connection with the kidnapping of a young mother and her baby in North Carolina on Monday night.
“Our agents and partners acted incredibly quickly in this case. Within 24 hours of the reported kidnapping, they arrested two suspects – and Estrada-Hernandez is now the third. He is an illegal immigrant who had been previously deported, now facing multiple state charges,” he added. “Most importantly, I’m thankful to report both the mother and baby were found safely Tuesday morning.”
1-year-old Grecia Salome Alejandro-Benitez and her mother Alondra Michelle Benitez De Jesus were taken from their Buck Branch Drive home in Garner, North Carolina, late Monday evening. Per ABC 11, the trio allegedly broke into the home armed with guns and wearing masks and demanded $1 million. When the demand was not met, they allegedly tied up a man in the home and kidnapped the wife and young daughter.
An Amber alert was issued at around 2 am on Tuesday, and the mother and daughter were found safe at a Wake Forest home at around 7:45 am on Tuesday.
The Duran siblings appeared on court on Wednesday, where they were denied bond. ICE has placed a detainer on the suspects. A judge labeled the two, who are from Mexico, as flight risks. Estrada-Hernandez is set to appear in court on Monday.