Suspect arrested in disappearance of South Florida mother, daughter appears in federal court

MIAMI – Eight years after Liliana Moreno and her daughter Daniela vanished without a trace, the child’s father is in custody.

Gustavo Castano Restrepo is now charged with kidnapping resulting in death.

His loved ones — who stand by his innocence — were there as he appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon in Miami.

Eduardo Moreno, Liliana’s brother and Daniela’s uncle, said he physically searched for them both and begged the public for leads since they went missing in 2016.

“I’m hoping he can open his eyes and say what happened with my sister and niece,” said Moreno. “I want to know more.”

Castano has long been a subject of suspicion, particularly from family members of the mother and daughter who hold yearly vigils outside his home.

Castano fathered Daniela during an extramartial affair and kept the child a secret for years.

Moreno’s sister reported the pair missing after she hadn’t been able to reach them for two days.

When police arrived at Moreno’s home in the Doral Terrace neighborhood, police found her wallet, food on the stove and her car still in the driveway.

The last person to see the pair was Castano, who told police that Moreno asked to be dropped off — along with her daughter — on the Florida Turnpike at Okeechobee Road.

Days later, Castano attempted suicide with a box cutter. He was tased by police during the incident and lost his eye in the process.

The indictment is limited in details, but alleges Castano kidnapped Liliana Moreno and used “a cellular telephone, the internet, a motor vehicle, and the Homestead Extension of Florida’s Turnpike” to commit the crime.

It goes on to say that kidnapping resulted in the deaths of both Liliana and Daniela Moreno.

Leer en español


About the Author
Liane Morejon headshot

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.

Loading...

Recommended Videos