Amber Alert Issued for 2 Calif. Sisters After Their Mother Is Found Slain in Home

Police in California have issued an Amber Alert for two missing sisters whose mother was found dead at their home.

The Kings County Sheriff's Office shared in a Facebook post that authorities are searching for Arya and Alana Maldonado, who are 3-years-old and 2-years-old, respectively, after they were found missing from their home in Hanford, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

Police said deputies were dispatched to the home on Jan. 28 at around 4 p.m. for a welfare check on a woman, later identified as the mother of the children but not named. However, when deputies arrived on the scene, they found her “deceased from a gunshot wound.”

After a preliminary investigation, detectives identified 23-year-old Jonathan Alexis Maldonado-Cruz — who was identified as the children’s father — as a suspect in the incident.

“Detectives believe Jonathan left the residence at approximately 1:00 am on January 28, 2025, with two female children he shared with the victim, ages 2 and 3,” police said in their post.

Police said Jonathan “left the residence” in a gray 2020 Hyundai Elantra with the California License #8LZD084. Authorities noted that he “is possibly en route to Mexico” and “should be considered armed and dangerous.”

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He is described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 215 lbs. With black hair and black eyes. Police said he was last seen on Monday, Jan. 27 in Hanford, Calif.

As for the missing children, Arya is described as 3 feet tall, weighing 25 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes, while Alana is described as 2 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 20 lbs. with brown hair and eyes.

Authorities did not share any other information about how they identified Jonathan as a suspect or any other details about the crime scene.

Police ask anyone with information on the case to contact the Kings County Sheriff's Office at (559) 670-9320 or (559) 852-2720.

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