Crime & Safety

Child Feared Abducted Found Safe; Police Still Searching For Grandmother

Police say grandmother took two-year old grandchild from New Milford for overnight visit and dropped her off in Texas.

A 2-year-old New Milford girl believed to have been abducted over the weekend has been found in Texas at the home of her paternal grandmother, police said Monday.

At approximately 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Kelly Tobon, 20, of New Milford reported to Patrolman Brian Clancy that she feared her daughter had been abducted by the child's maternal grandmother, Chief Frank Papapietro said Monday.  

Tobon reported that she allowed her mother, Blanca Liliana Sanchez, 43, whose last known address was in Bergenfield, to take her daughter for an overnight visit on Friday night.

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After numerous calls by Tobon on Saturday, Sanchez informed her that she was at a party on Long Island with the child, Papapietro said. Despite several phone calls and text messages from Tobon requesting the child's return, the child had still not returned home as of Sunday morning. Tobon waited until Sunday evening to notify police. 

Tobon told police that she was concerned that Sanchez would take the child to Texas or to her native Columbia.

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Learning that the grandmother only speaks Spanish, Papapietro said that the Bergenfield Police Department offered the translation assistance of Officer Daynel Orozio, who made numerous calls to Sanchez.

Upon reaching her, Orozio advised Sanchez of the consequences if the child was not immediately returned to her mother in New Milford. Sanchez stated she was in Queens, New York, and would return the child within the hour.

Papapietro said that while waiting at the for the child's return, Tobon received a phone call from the child’s paternal grandmother, Tracy Regan, in Houston, Texas, stating that the child had been dropped off by Sanchez and was safe with her.

Clancy contacted the Harris County Police Department in Texas and requested that an officer check on the welfare of the child. The responding Deputy confirmed the child’s well being and stated that Regan would retain custody of the toddler until Tobon could come for her. 

Det. Brian Long contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit to report the incident.  

Papapietro said that charges are currently pending against Sanchez upon consultation with an Assistant Prosecutor.

Sanchez’s whereabouts are unknown at this time. She is operating a grey or silver 2005 Acura, Texas Registration CT3H420; she does not have a valid driver's license.

"Needless to say all the officers involved breathed a sigh of relief when that call came from Mrs. Regan," Papapietro said. "There were several frantic hours spent playing out different scenarios so we are very grateful for this outcome."

Echoing the Chief's statement, Officer Clancy told Patch that he was grateful that the child was found safe. 

Mayor Subrizi commended the work of Officer Clancy in resolving this case, as well as all of the members of the New Milford Police Department involved in this incident who saw it through to a positive conclusion. 


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