A woman who allegedly abducted her 18-month-old, non- custodial daughter during a supervised visit with a Department of Children and Family Services worker remained at large Thursday, but the child was safely in the hands of authorities, police said.
The child, identified as Sariya Ogbeiwi, was found about 10:15 p.m. Wednesday at a restaurant near Avalon Boulevard and Florence Avenue, Los Angeles Police Officer Liliana Preciado said.
Sariya, who was unharmed, was with her grandmother, Preciado said.
Sariya’s mother, 19-year-old Jasmine Kennedy, has not been located, Preciado said.
Kennedy did not have custody of her daughter, according to Preciado.
About 11 a.m. Wednesday, Kennedy allegedly took Sariya from a restaurant in the 1400 block of West Manchester Avenue during a supervised visit with a DCFS worker, Preciado said.
Kennedy later turned Sariya over to the child’s grandmother, who took her to the restaurant near Avalon Boulevard and Florence Avenue, where an arrangement was made to turn the girl over to authorities, Preciado said.
It was not immediately clear why Kennedy didn’t have custody of her daughter, and Preciado said authorities were not releasing other details of the case.
Kennedy is described as black, 5 feet 5 inches tall, about 120 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a gray shirt and black leggings.
—City News Service