A child reported missing was found with a 27-year-old wanted Alaskan woman in California, authorities said.
Jessica Rodriguez, also known as Jessica Barranco, fled Alaska in July 2013 with a child who was reported missing to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Rodriguez was wanted by troopers for custodial interference and a warrant for her arrest was issued June 27, according to a U.S. Marshals-District of Alaska press release.
Under “Operation Pickup” — an interagency effort that targets fugitives believed to be in the company of a missing child — the U.S. Marshals Service in Alaska worked with Alaska State Troopers and the Juneau Police Department in tracking down Rodriguez. She was found Wednesday in Temecula, Calif., and booked at the Southwest Detention Center in Riverside County pending court proceedings.
The child was placed in the custody of Child Protective Services in California until being reunited with the father, authorities said.