Missing and Murdered Children

Original Post: April 2008Last Updated: July 1, 2009View Sources

Oscar, Karla and Fernando Casanova were last seen on Friday, April 18, 2008 in the 1800 block of North Richmond Street in Chicago, Illinois. At about 2:30 that day they were abducted by a male family relative.

According to WMAQ-TV the three children were abducted from Yates Elementary School on Friday at about 2:30 p.m. They were released from school before they were abducted, police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli said.

I am not sure why the Amber Alert was not issued on Friday or sometime over the weekend. Now there is a reason to believe the children are in danger because their mother was discovered dead in her home today.

The mother of the 3 children, Sophia Garcia, 30, was found dead at about noon with a plastic bag over her head in her home.

Police do not know if Casanova is married to Garcia or just in a dating relationship. However, he is the father of 2 of the abducted children.

Victim 1: Fernando Casanova

Fernando Casanova is an 11-year-old White/Hispanic male with brown hair and brown eyes. He stands 5′ tall and weighs approximately 130 lbs.

Victim 2: Karla Casanova

Karla Casanova is a 7-year-old White/Hispanic female with brown hair and brown eyes. She stands 4’1″ tall and weighs approximately 75 lbs.

Victim 3: Oscar Casanova

Oscar Casanova is a 6-year-old White/Hispanic male with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He stands 4′ tall and weighs approximately 60 lbs.

Suspect: Benito Casanova

Benito Casanova is a 31-year-old White/Hispanic male with brown hair and brown eyes. He is 6’1″ tall and weighs approximately 200 lbs.

Suspect Vehicle

2002 Silver/Gray Dodge Dakota with Illinois license plate 86196HB. One license plate is missing.

Anyone having information should call 911 and tell the operator you have an Amber Alert report.

Updates 

June 7, 2008

The Amber Alert for these children was canceled about a month ago. The children are still missing and there is a live link to the Illinois AMBER Alert site so I am going to consider this AMBER Alert active.

July 1, 2009

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children issued a notificiation today through their Poster Partners Program that Fernando, Oscar and Karla Casanova have been located. There is no information regarding their alleged abductor, Benito Casanova. I will continue to look for updates in the media. This is good news.

Sources 

Developing: Amber Alert issued for 3 children; mother found dead, WMAQ TV Chicago, April 21, 2008.

Jeremy Gorner, Mother found dead; Amber Alert issued for 3 kids, Chicago Tribune.com, April 21, 2008.

Developing: Amber Alert issued for 3 children; mother found dead, WMAQ TV Chicago, April 21, 2008.

Casanova AMBER Alert, Illinois AMBER Alert.org, November 2, 2008.