Woman Arrested at Airport Trying to Kidnap 2 Children on Father’s Behalf

A Texas woman was arrested at Chicago’s Midway International Airport after allegedly trying to abduct two children and take them out of the country on behalf of their father, who does not have custody.

According to Aurora Police, 47-year-old Cindy Sanchez is facing multiple charges, including two counts each of kidnapping by deceit or enticement, unlawful restraint, and child abduction.

The ordeal began Thursday afternoon when officers were called to a home on Rosewood Avenue in Aurora, Illinois, after family members feared the two children — ages 11 and 13 — had been kidnapped. Police say a woman showed up at the home claiming she needed to take the kids “on their mother’s behalf” to another state. The children’s mother later confirmed she never gave permission for anyone to take them.

Authorities launched a search and, with the help of Chicago Police, located Sanchez with the children at Midway Airport. Both kids were recovered unharmed, and Sanchez was taken into custody.

Investigators later uncovered the alleged motive behind the plot. Sanchez, who lives in Fort Worth, Texas, is a relative of the children’s father. Police say the father, who does not have legal custody, had allegedly paid Sanchez to bring the children to him in Mexico by way of the Texas border.

Sanchez was booked into the Kane County Adult Justice Center on Friday but released the next morning after a court appearance. She is due back in court on Sept. 18 for a status hearing.

The children remain safe with their mother as the case against Sanchez moves forward.