Father, Girlfriend Arrested in Kidnapping of Daughter

A 25-year-old man and his 25-year-old girlfriend were arrested Thursday after they allegedly took the man's 4-year-old daughter from her front yard in Loma Linda.

Witnesses say Cesar Mejia took his daughter from the secured front yard of the girl's mother, San Bernardino County Sheriff's officials said in a news release. According to court paperwork, Mejia lost all parental rights and is not allowed any visitiation.

Deputies arrived at the home about 11:10 a.m. Thursday, when witnesses told them that Mejia took the girl, and drove off with her and a female, later identifed as Sara Davis.

The Sheriff's Department's Special Enforcement Division, along with the aviation department, were called in to search for the child and suspects.

Davis was located in Redlands and taken into custody. Using information gathered during their investigation, they found Mejia and the girl in Riverside. The girl was returned to her mother without further incident.

Mejia and Davis have been booked into the Central Detention Facility on felony kidnapping charges. Mejia is being held in lieu of $250,000, and is awaiting a Monday arraignment, according to jail records. There are no jail records for Davis.

Anyone with information on this case should call Detective Mark Hubbard at (909) 387-3509.