Home Newark Press Releases 2009 FBI Talks Kidnapper Into Surrender; Child is Safely Returned to Family
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FBI Talks Kidnapper Into Surrender; Child is Safely Returned to Family

FBI Newark September 29, 2009
  • Special Agent Michael Whitaker (973) 792-3020

NEWARK, NJ—Among the plethora of disappointing or frightening stories the FBI is called upon to resolve, this one stands out with a happy ending. Weysan Dun, Special Agent In Charge of the FBI’s Newark Division, is pleased to announce the safe return of 9-month-old Marisol Elaine Esper-Sanchez to her grandmother and legal guardian, and the arrest of Marisol’s father, John Sanchez, age 39, on an unlawful flight to avoid prosecution (UFAP) charge filed in the Western District of Pennsylvania. The federal charge was filed in connection with Pennsylvania state charges of concealment of the whereabouts of children and interference with custody of children.

The mother of Marisol Sanchez died unexpectedly this past May. According to a court order issued in Erie County, Pennsylvania on July 23, 2009, joint custody of Marisol was awarded to both her father, John Sanchez, and her grandmother, Maureen C. Esper. Although Esper had primary physical custody of the child, there were no restrictions on Sanchez having access to his daughter and both parties mutually agreed to this arrangement.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the Millcreek Township Police Department, and a petition filed in Erie County, Pennsylvania court on behalf of Esper on September 22, 2009, Esper and Sanchez agreed on September 15 that Sanchez would have temporary physical custody of his daughter from Thursday, September 19 until the morning of Monday, September 21. Sanchez never returned the child as agreed upon. The complaint states that law enforcement confirmed that Sanchez purchased a one-way ticket to Atlantic City, New Jersey on September 18, 2009 shortly after 2 p.m. In a cell phone conversation with Esper on September 20, Sanchez allegedly claimed he was in Puerto Rico. FBI Agents from the Erie Resident Agency of the Pittsburgh Division of the FBI were then asked to open an investigation and the federal UFAP charge was filed against Sanchez .

After receiving the information from FBI agents in Erie, Pennsylvania, FBI agents in Atlantic City quickly began to cover leads in their area. The agents were able to locate family members of Sanchez in Atlantic City who convinced Sanchez to contact them. After a telephone conversation with an agent, Sanchez surrendered to the FBI with his daughter, Marisol, on Sunday morning, September 27, at the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency. Case workers from the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) were on hand to receive the child. As is standard procedure in these matters, Marisol was taken to a local hospital as a precaution. Sanchez was taken into custody by the FBI and turned over to Pennsylvania state authorities to face the local charges.

“This was a stressful and trying time for both Marisol and her grandmother as well as law enforcement,” said Weysan Dun. “The stakes are always significantly higher whenever children are involved and law enforcement responds as if it were their own child missing or kidnapped. We are so glad Mr. Sanchez came to his senses and returned the child unharmed. This was the best possible outcome for everyone.”  Dun credits the Millcreek Township Police Department for the outstanding investigative foundation that developed the lead and connection to Atlantic City, as well as the dedication and perseverance of all the FBI agents who worked this matter and brought it to its successful conclusion.