TCDA Bureau of Investigations Child Abduction Unit Reunites Child with Father
On January 24, 2020, Criminal Investigators from the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations Child Abduction Unit recovered a child that was taken by the mother, Samantha Renee Rabago, in violation of a court order.
On August 29, 2018, both parents were granted joint legal and physical custody of their son. Rabago later filed for full custody of their child.However,on the date of the hearing, Rabago failed to appear. Therefore, the existing court order remained in effect.
On December 30, 2019, both parents agreed to meet at a local Tulare County Sheriff’s Department substation for the child custody exchange. However, Rabago and child did not appear for the exchange. Rabago sent a text to the father explaining that she was not going to the exchange because she moved to Las Vegas.
On January 6, 2020, with the assistance of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department, Rabago was served with the notice of the next hearing scheduled for January 7, 2020. Rabago again failed to appear. After several unsuccessful attempts to reconnect with his son, the father sought assistance from the TCDA Child Abduction Unit on January 9, 2020.
With the assistance from the Nevada Attorney General’s Office, it was discovered that Rabago and her son had traveled back to California. Contact was made with Rabago, and she confirmed her son was living with her in Lemoore. After explaining the court order, Rabago agreed to voluntarily return the child to TCDA Investigators and agreed to cooperate with the investigation. The child was safely recovered without incident from Rabago. TCDA Investigators reunited the child with his father in Dinuba.
The child Abduction Unit regularly returns 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 Supervising Criminal Investigator Jose Benavides (559) 636-5410