Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department is requesting the assistance of the media to provide the public with the following information to assist Law Enforcement efforts in locating a child taken by her mother.

On May 20, 2003, at approximately 4:00 p.m., the missing children’s father contacted the Hollywood Area Police Station to report that his wife had taken their three children.

The father indicated that his wife took the children this morning at approximately 7:30 a.m.,to drop them off at school. The mother and children have not returned home after school. The father believes that his wife possible on her way to the State of Virginia where her family resides.

The children were described as follows: 5 year-old Ashley Huerta, a female Hispanic, black hair, brown eyes, approximately 3 feet 5 inches and 50 pounds, 7 year-old David Huerta, male Hispanic, black hair, brown eyes, approximately 4 feet 8 inches and 70 pounds and 11 year-old Tracy Huerta, a female Hispanic, brown hair, brown eyes, 5 feet 1 inch, 90 pounds.

The mother is 27 year-old Silvia Huerta, female Hispanic, black hair, brown eyes, 5 feet 3 inches, 150 pounds.

As of 7:30 a.m., the mother was seen in a 1996 Honda Accord, which has since been located in the Los Angeles Downtown Area. The mother and children have not been located.

Photographs of the children and the mother are available at Hollywood Area Police Station located at 1358 North Wilcox Avenue.

Anyone with information or questions regarding this matter should contact the Hollywood Area Police Station at 213-4854302.

This press release was prepared by Officer Lucy Diaz, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.