Miami-Dade police locate 2 children reportedly abducted by mother

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Authorities in Miami-Dade County were looking for two young children believed to have been abducted by their biological mother Sunday afternoon.

They were found safe Thursday evening.

Miami-Dade police detectives set off a countywide search for Jemima Reina Gutierrez, 24, and her two children, 6-year-old Jody and 4-year-old Josiah Gutierrez.

According to an MDPD news release, Jemima Gutierrez visited the two children at around 1:30 p.m. Sunday and took them from their legal guardian without permission.

Police said the two children “may be in need of services” but weren’t believed to be in any danger.

Local 10 News’ Christian De La Rosa went to a possible address for the young mother in North Miami.

A man inside the home told Local 10 he had last seen the woman at that house, but didn’t know where she or the children were.

Local 10 News also reached out to Gutierrez over social media, and she responded in an email, saying that her children were OK, adding, “They are afraid. With that being said, I allowed my children to leave with me to protect them.”

Soon after that email was sent, undercover officers moved into the home as marked Miami-Dade police units and additional officers in plain clothing arrived.

Then finally came a break in the case.

The two small children and their mother were all found inside the home safe and sound.

Miriam Gutierrez said she is the grandmother of the children and mother to Jemima Gutierrez.

“They’re going to interview them and ask how they were being treated,” she said.

When asked if she stands by daughter, Miriam Gutierrez responded, “Yes I do. I stand by my daughter. She rescued her child.”

Miriam Gutierrez also said her daughter has been in the midst of a custody battle over the children for the last six months.

Jemima Gutierrez was arrested on two counts of kidnapping/interference of custody by a parent.