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Kings County Sheriff Says Arrested Homicide/Kidnapping Suspect Had Fled to Mexico
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By Anthony W. Haddad
Published 3 weeks ago on
January 30, 2025

Kings County authorities, with other agencies assistance, recovered two missing children and arrested their father in Mexico after a fatal shooting. (Kings County SO)

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A 24-hour, multi-agency effort led to the safe recovery of two young children and the arrest of their father, who was wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of their mother, Madeline Rose Cuevas, and the kidnapping of the children, authorities said at a news conference on Thursday.

The Kings County Sheriffโ€™s Office, working with other agencies like the FBI field offices in Fresno and San Diego, tracked the suspect, Jonathan Maldonado-Cruz, 23, after he fled to Tijuana, Mexico, with the children.

The investigation, which began Tuesday after the victimโ€™s father alerted deputies, quickly expanded to state and federal levels.

Deputies responded to a home near Orchard Drive and 4th Place around 4 p.m. Tuesday and found the woman dead from a gunshot wound.

Authorities said they did not want to disclose any additional details about the gunshot wound during the press conference.

Authorities believe Maldonado-Cruz left the residence with his children, ages 2 and 3, late Sunday or early Monday morning.

By the time law enforcement was alerted, he had an estimated 15-hour head start, authorities said.

The FBI tracked his cell phone and discovered he also had the victimโ€™s phone.

Maldonado-Cruzโ€™s mother played a critical role in the arrest, officials said. His mother reached out to authorities that the suspect was willing to turn himself in.

The Children Are Safe and on Their Way Home

The Kings County Sheriffโ€™s Office confirmed that its detectives, with assistance from state and federal partners, located Alana and Arya Maldonado unharmed Tuesday morning. Maldonado-Cruz was taken into custody.

The Kern County Sheriff's Office has located missing children Alana and Arya Maldonado safe and arrested Jonathan Maldonado-Cruz. (Kern County SO)
The Kings County Sheriffโ€™s Office has located missing children Alana and Arya Maldonado and arrested Jonathan Maldonado-Cruz. The children were found safe and are returning home. (Kings County SO)

Authorities credited the communityโ€™s involvement in spreading awareness and helping accelerate the return of the children and the arrest of Maldonado-Cruz.

The Kings County Sheriffโ€™s Office said that the kids were on their way back home from Mexico, along with their father who will remain in custody.

Officials also thanked Mexican authorities, noting that one was injured during the operation.

The Tulare Countyโ€™s District Attorneyโ€™s office said that they will not have the full story to charge Maldonado-Cruz formally until the sheriffโ€™s office has completed their investigation.

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Anthony W. Haddad,
Multimedia Journalist
Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and has an MBA at Fresno State, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.

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