Federal authorities have apprehended and accused three undocumented individuals in relation to the abduction of a mother and her 13-month-old child from their residence in Garner, North Carolina, on April 28.
Garner officials have charged Eleodoro “Leo” Estrada-Hernandez, 37; Paola Duran Duran, 25; and Miguel Angel Duran Duran, 23, with two charges of first-degree kidnapping and one charge of second-degree kidnapping each. Additionally, Estrada-Hernandez is facing charges for illegal possession of a firearm and two counts of assault by aiming a firearm.
“Upon the Garner Police Department’s request for FBI assistance with a kidnapping case, we mobilized resources from across the state overnight,” noted Robert M. DeWitt, the FBI special agent leading North Carolina, in a statement released Wednesday. “Together with local and state partners, a rapid and intricate case evolved. Thanks to a blend of investigative technology, methods, and tools, the victims were fortunately found safe.”
The woman, baby and the woman’s husband were unloading groceries on the evening of the alleged kidnapping and saw the same black Nissan Altima drive by their house multiple times, court records state.
“They dropped [the mother and baby] off on a dead-end dirt road surrounded by woods,” a federal complaint states. “Miguel and Paola then went to their uncle’s house in the Equinox. After that, Miguel dropped Paola off at her friend’s house in Durham and later that day, Paola’s friend dropped her back off at the Raleigh residence where she was taken into custody.”
Garner police arrested the two suspects less than 24 hours after they allegedly kidnapped a mother and her toddler daughter. (Garner PD)
The victims went to a Wake Forest home and asked for help, at which point the resident of that home called 911.
Court documents allege that Hernandez was the mastermind behind the plan and offered Paola and Miguel $100,000 over four months to help him execute it.
“These significant federal charges result from the prompt response of law enforcement and demonstrate the close partnership between all of the agencies involved,” acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar said in a Wednesday statement. “Investigating and prosecuting violent crimes like those alleged in the complaints will remain a top priority for our office.”
All three suspects face a maximum punishment of life in prison if convicted.
