Family of kidnapped Dallas County boy relieved he is back home
Wilmer 10-year-old back with family, father on the run
10-year-old Ian Aguilar is back with his family after he was taken from his home in Wilmer, in Dallas County. Aguilar's father, Jose Aguilar-Cano, is accused of killing the boy's mother and then taking him to Mexico. Authorities are still searching for Aguilar-Cano.
WILMER, Texas - The boy at the center of an AMBER Alert from the Dallas County city of Wilmer is back in the United States and reunited with his family after nearly two weeks of being separated.
Police said 10-year-old Ian Aguilar was taken by his father, 38-year-old Juan Aguilar-Cano, on November 14, eventually ending up in Mexico.
Investigators said he's now back in Texas and safe, but his father is still on the run.
AMBER Alert discontinued for kidnapped Dallas Co. boy; he is back in U.S., on his way home
The AMBER Alert has been discontinued for the 10-year-old boy who was reportedly kidnapped by his father and taken to Mexico, and he is back in the United States and being brought back home.
Family members said it’s a great relief to have Aguilar back home.
Aguilar is back in the U.S. with his sister, Zuri Lopez.
Lopez told FOX 4 her brother was with a grandmother and uncle in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico.
Multiple federal agencies were working to get the boy back to the U.S. safely after he was found with a family member in Mexico.
Meanwhile, his father, who is the main suspect, remains at-large.
An AMBER Alert was issued for Aguilar after Wilmer police said he was abducted from his home and his mother, Zuleika Lopez, was murdered.
Police believe his father abducted the boy and killed his mother.
"If we would have known what was happening, we would have tried to help her," Marissa Gonzales said.
Gonzales lives across the street from the family’s home in Wilmer.
"It’s really heartbreaking for us, because, you know, we knew them in some way. We talked to the dad often. We never thought he would be that type of person," she added.
The SUV Aguilar-Cano and the boy traveled in was found near a Tornado Bus Company in Houston. The company charters rides to Mexico.
A few days after the AMBER Alert was issued, Wilmer police confirmed the two were in Mexico, though the boy was with a family member and no longer with his father.
"It was just unbelievable to think that the dad would have done that especially to his son," Gonzales said.
Outside Aguilar’s home in Wilmer, there’s a memorial for his mother.
A vigil was held to remember Lopez and pray for her son’s safe return.
Since those prayers were answered, the family’s sole focus is now justice for Lopez.
Boy at center of AMBER Alert in Dallas Co. back in U.S.
10-year-old Ian Aguilar is back in the United States after he was allegedly taken to Mexico by his father. Jose Aguilar-Cano is accused of killing the boy's mother and abducting the boy from his Wilmer home, leading to an AMBER Alert being issued. Aguilar-Cano is still missing.
"We kept him in our prayers and stuff, sad that what he went through because he’s probably the one that experienced everything. Especially at a very young age, it was probably very traumatic for him," Gonzales said. "I pray that they can get healed from what had happened, it’s very traumatic especially from someone that was supposed to love their mother."
No details have been released about how police were able to rescue Aguilar and bring him back to the U.S.
Authorities believe Agular-Cano is in Mexico, but have not released further information on his whereabouts.