TCDA Bureau of Investigations Child Abduction Unit Recovers Children in Washington State

On September 11, 2019, Criminal Investigators from the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations Child Abduction Unit traveled to Kennewick, Washington, to recover two children taken by their mother, Yuridia Serrano Valdez, against a court order. The Investigators traveled with the children back to Tulare County and reunited them with their father.

In June 2019, the father purchased bus tickets for Valdez and their two children, ages 2 and 3, to travel to Pasco, Washington. The plan was for him to join them later. However, while he was making plans to meet Valdez and his children in Washington, Valdez changed her mind and told him not to come to Washington.

After several unsuccessful attempts to reconnect with his children, assistance was sought from the TCDA Child Abduction Unit on September 4, 2019.

With the assistance of the Benton County Sheriff’s Department in Kennewick, Washington and contacting Valdez, the children were located. After explaining the court order to Valdez, she agreed to voluntarily return the children to TCDA Investigators and agreed to cooperate with our investigation.

Both children were safely recovered without incident from Valdez. TCDA Investigators returned to Visalia with the two children on September 13, 2019, and reunited them with their father. 

The Child Abduction Unit regularly returns abducted children to their legal guardians. TCDA Investigators have recovered abducted children from across the United States and Mexico and as far away as New Zealand.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Assistant Chief Investigator Eric Grant (559) 636-5494