Thread: Amber Alert out for 3 kids after mother found dead

Amber Alert out for 3 kids after mother found dead
HUMBOLDT PARK | Police looking for father of 2 of the children

April 22, 2008Recommend (7)

Police issued an Amber Alert for three children who were missing after their mother was found dead Monday with a plastic bag over her head in her home in the Humboldt Park neighborhood.

Police also are seeking the the father of two of the children, Benito O. Casanova, 32, who police believe picked up the children around 2:30 p.m. Friday from Yates Elementary School, 1839 N. Richmond, just after classes let out. The children have not been seen since.

» Click to enlarge image An Amber Alert was issued Monday for the Casanova siblings -- Fernando, 11, Karla, 7, and Oscar, 6.
(NBC5)



"They must be scared," Martia Ortiz told WMAQ-Channel 5.

She added she is praying for "the safety of these kids."

Casanova also was described as the husband or boyfriend of the dead woman, Sophia Garcia, 30.

Her body was discovered about noon in her residence in the 1700 block of North Harding Avenue after concerned family members who had not heard from Garcia called police, said News Affairs Officer JoAnn Taylor. Her death is being treated as a homicide, Taylor said, but the cause and time of death had not been determined.

The three missing children, according to the Amber Alert, are Oscar Casanova, 6; Karla Casanova, 7; and Fernando Casanova, 11.

Oscar is 4 feet tall and weighs 60 pounds, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Karla is 4-foot-1 and weighs 75 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Fernando Casanova is 5 feet tall and weighs 130 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes -- all three are described as white Hispanic, the alert said.

Benito Casanova was described as a white Hispanic male, 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, according to the alert.

Casanova may be driving a silver or gray 2002 Dodge Dakota with Illinois license plate number 86196HB. One of the vehicle's plates is missing.

Sun-Times staff reports

http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/90...ing22.article#

What is the relationship of this article to illegal immigration?

W

It was reported he is illegal and most likely heading for Mexico even though this article doesn't say so.

Mother of children found dead CHICAGO (WLS) -- An amber alert has been issued for three children after their mother was found dead in her Humboldt Park home.
The children are 11-year-old Fernando, 7-year-old Karla and 6-year-old Oscar Casanova. They were last seen Friday leaving Yates Elementary School.
The suspected abductor has been identified as 32-year-old Benito Casanova. Officials think he is father of two of the children.
Their mother, 30-year-old Sophia Garcia, was found dead in her home in the 1700 block of North Harding.
Story continues belowAdvertisementPolice believe Casanova is driving a silver or gray 2002 Dodge Dakota with Illinois license plates 86196HB. They say he may be headed to Mexico.
A neighbor said she saw Garcia and the children Friday morning and that they looked fine.
"She looked happy. I see her every morning, walking the little Chihuahua, then they all get ready and go to school," said Wanda Shackolford.
Anyone with information is asked to call 312-746-8282.

(Copyright ©2008 WLS-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

it was reported on msm here in northern illinois that all involved are mexican nationals. (aka illegal aliens)

it was reported on msm here in northern illinois that all involved are mexican nationals. ( aka illegal aliens)

Same here......and that it was thought only 2 of the 3 were his actual children......can't find anything in print yet to prove it though. I'm not crazy.....can't make this stuff up.