California Amber alert canceled — police believe non-custodial mom took girl to Mexico

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Authorities have canceled an Amber Alert issued in California after police say they believe the non-custodial mother of a 4-year-old Vancouver, Wash., girl took her into Mexico.

KGW-TV reports that based on sightings authorities believe 21-year-old Esmeralda Lopez crossed the border with Aranza Ochoa Lopez, Vancouver police spokeswoman Kim Kapp said Monday.

The Amber Alert was issued in California on Saturday after police say the girl was taken during a Thursday court-supervised visit in Vancouver.

Records show the girl has been in foster care.

Police say before the abduction, three people ambushed a man in Lopez’s apartment, tied him to a chair, and stole his car. The man broke free after more than 12 hours and called police.

Police have since arrested three people. Court documents say the car was stolen to help Lopez flee.