Grandma Was Unloading Groceries, And When She Returned Inside, 3-Month-Old Was Gone

It is hard to imagine there being any greater anguish than being the parent or grandparent of a missing 3-month-old baby. That’s the torture precious Brandon Cuellar’s mother experienced after he was kidnapped while in the care of his grandmother.

Baby Brandon was staying with his grandmother of San Jose, California, when the incident took place. The two returned from shopping, and as his grandmother unloaded groceries, someone took Brandon.

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It was the next day before Brandon was located, but, fortunately, the detective work done early on brought about a safe and happy reunion of mother and son approximately 20 hours after the 3-month-old baby went missing  

Search For Missing 3-Month-Old

A surveillance camera recorded an unidentified man entering and leaving the home carrying an infant car seat, which held Baby Brandon.

** Kidnapping Incident**

Officers are currently working this incident. The male you see in these images captured from a surveillance camera entered a residence in the 1000 block of Elm St.

He left with a 3 month old baby. The family does not recognize this suspect. pic.twitter.com/BJ0R44JOP2

— San José Police Media Relations (@SJPD_PIO) April 26, 2022

Detectives shared the footage on Twitter and provided tip numbers. In addition, they interviewed 43-year-old Yesenia Ramirez, initially thought to be a potential witness. 

Yesenia, who attends the same church as Brandon’s family, had shopped with Brandon’s grandmother that day. And she was at the apartment complex at the time of the kidnapping. Sargeant Christian Camarillo explained how Yesenia became more than a mere witness in the search for the missing 3-month-old.

“Quickly, that moved into a person of interest, and then a suspect. There were some inconsistencies with the story she was giving us. Obviously, our detectives did a good job of pointing out the inconsistencies she was sharing.”  

Missing 3-Month-Old Baby Found Safe

Rescuers took the missing 3-month-old to the hospital after locating him. Doctors checked Brandon out and found him unharmed. As grateful as his mother is to have her missing 3-month-old home and safe, the investigation has turned up even more disturbing information since he returned. 

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Evidence found shows that this was not the first kidnapping attempt. In fact, Yesenia and a male working with her, 28-year-old Jose Portillo, had tried to abduct Brandon on two prior occasions!

Charges have been filed against the two, and they will likely face considerable jail time. Thankfully, Brandon was brought home safely. And while Baby Brandon will never remember the terrifying day he was nearly taken from his mother forever, she will never forget! 

3/ The baby is Brandon Cuellar, 3 months old. He was wearing a white long sleeve onesie with dinosaurs on it. pic.twitter.com/qMVUOmW8Oo

— San José Police Media Relations (@SJPD_PIO) April 26, 2022

Thank goodness for the work of law enforcement on that fateful day. Thank God for the hedge of protection that He provided!  

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“The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.” Proverbs 5:22

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h/t: People

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/San José Police Media Relations

Hally is a freelance writer, blogger, and mental health advocate. A former school counselor, Hally works for a nonprofit that distributes tax dollars to mental health and prevention education providers that serve her county's kids and families. She's a contributor to a devotional and two essay collectives, and she shares resources and wisdom regarding parenting teens, mental health, faith, adoption, and more at https://www.hallyjwells.com where she strives to "Dig Deep and Reach High." She and her husband have three adult children and one rascally beagle pup. Hally loves travel, her book club sisters, personality tests, and a great glass of iced tea.