Los Angeles: On Wednesday, February 20, 2002, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Rogelio Lopez, 37 years of age, picked up his children from his estranged wife. Lopez was only given permission to see his children for a short period of time, but failed to return the children as of February 21, 2002. Lopez called his wife and advised her that he had left the U.S. and she could pick up the children in Ciudad Guzman, Jalisco Mexico.

The abducted children are Rogelio Lopez Jr., six years of age and Mary Cruz, two years of age.

The Los Angeles Police Department's Southeast Operations Support Division detectives request that the media provide the public with this information to assist law enforcement efforts in locating the missing children. Anyone with further information regarding this matter is asked to call Southeast Operations Support Division at 213-485-6902. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective information Desk at 1-877-LAWFUL, 1-877-529-3855.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.