3 at-risk children allegedly abducted by parents in California

STOCKTON, Calif. (TCD) -- Two adults were arrested and charged after their at-risk missing children were reportedly found alongside drugs within their reach.

On Oct. 12, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office announced that three children, 9-year-old Christopher, 11-year-old Evangeline, and 16-year-old Angelica Pinon, were considered at-risk "due to an ongoing substantial danger to the physical and emotional health," and they were instructed to be surrendered to Child Protective Services. However, the children’s parents, 35-year-old Karri Dominguez and 49-year-old Michael Pinon, reportedly failed to do so.

The Sheriff’s Office said Dominguez did not show up for a pre-arranged time and place to hand over the children.

According to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office, on Oct. 17, at approximately 1:15 a.m., a deputy with the Sheriff’s Office performed a traffic stop for a car with expired registration near Main Street and Olive Avenue. The children’s father, Pinon, was reportedly in the passenger seat and was taken into custody. The driver, Laura Burkett, 36, was also arrested.

On the same day, at around 11 a.m., investigators found the children inside a home on the 17000 block of Stone Cellar Way, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Inside the home, authorities reportedly found the children’s mother, Dominguez, along with methamphetamine, meth pipes, and other drugs. The substances were within reach of the children, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Both parents were charged with child abduction, child abuse, and disobeying a court order, the Sheriff’s Office said.

At the time of the home search, two other children and two adults were reportedly present.

Child Protective Services have taken custody of the at-risk children and are working to place them with family, the Sheriff’s Office said.

MORE:

• Missing Children Located - San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office
• Update, 10/12/22 - San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office