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Kidnapped Newborn Returned To Parents

Police Release Photo Of Amber Alert Suspect

POSTED: 8:33 am MDT June 4, 2003
UPDATED: 7:37 pm MDT June 4, 2003

A kidnapped 2-week-old boy was found safe Wednesday afternoon in west Denver, 7NEWS reported.

Video

The newborn was taken to Denver Health Medical Center, where hospital officials said he was healthy but hungry. He was reunited with his mother (pictured, left) and father, who are thrilled with his return, 7NEWS reported.

"One of the amazing things is watching a baby turn to a mom's face. The baby was not so happy to see us but was very happy to see the mother," said Dr. John Ogle, Director of Pediatrics at Denver Health.

Police had been on the lookout for the infant and the woman who had kidnapped him by posing as a church volunteer. It was not immediately known if the woman was found with the baby, but police said that they had someone "in custody" who was being questioned.

Authorities canceled a statewide Amber Alert that had been issued Tuesday when the baby's mother reported her son missing.

"A tip from that Amber Alert led us to the child," said Gerry Whitman, Denver Police chief.

The information led police officers to an apartment at 9th and Bryant where they found the infant sleeping inside.

Rosa

On Wednesday morning, before the baby was found, Denver police released a photo of the suspect taken from a security surveillance camera at Denver Health.

The suspect, who had called herself "Rosa" is about 5 feet 2 inches tall, heavyset with brown eyes and brown hair, police said. Her hair was tied in a bun with green string. She was last seen driving a wine-colored minivan. Police say she may have tatoos on her back.

The suspect disappeared with the baby around noon Tuesday. The mother, 22-year-old Maria Soria-Hernandez, had stepped inside an AutoZone store for a minute and when she returned, the woman and the 2-week-old were gone.

Soria-Hernandez told 7NEWS that she met Rosa shortly after giving birth to her son, Mauro Ramirez-Soria, at Denver Health Medical Center on May 21.

"She came in, she told me her name was Rosa, and she was going to get me some help, clothing, food," Soria-Hernandez said.

Soria-Hernandez gave Rosa her address and when Rosa showed up at Soria-Hernandez's home on Monday, Rosa talked about the charity items the church could provide. Then on Tuesday afternoon, Rosa showed up again unannounced and suggested that Soria-Hernandez fill out some paperwork at the church. Rosa offered them a ride to the "church," but on the way there, Rosa stopped by the AutoZone near Federal Boulevard and Harvard Avenue and said she needed a drink to take her pills. She asked Soria-Hernandez to go inside and buy the drink.

Rosa with ponytail

But when the young mother came back out with the two sodas, both Rosa and the baby were gone.

Investigators said that all of the information they have indicate that the infant's abduction was planned, but that Soria-Hernandez was a random victim. Denver Health said that although the nursery is locked, anyone who walks in the door has access to a patient's room.

Police have received hundreds of tips since Monday. A $2,000 reward was offered through Crimestoppers.


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