Toddler Allegedly Abducted By Father Who Killed Boy's Mother, Roswell Police Say

Police in New Mexico are escalating the search for a missing toddler after the boy's mother was discovered slain in her Roswell home — as authorities believe the boy's father is the prime suspect in both the kidnapping and the killing.

Officers are searching the area for Osiel Ernesto Rico, 3, and his father, Jorge Rico-Ruvira, 32, Roswell Police spokesperson Todd Wildermuth said, according to local newspaper The Albuquerque Journal. Authorities believe Rico-Ruvira is attempting to abscond with Osiel across the Mexican border. 

The search for Osiel began Tuesday January 7, after relatives found Isela Mauricio-Sanchez, 27, dead in a Roswell home. Police later ruled Mauricio-Sanchez's death a homicide and consider Rico-Ruviera the prime suspect in her slaying.

The cause of Mauricio-Sanchez's death has not yet been revealed, according to The Albuquerque Journal.

“Many details are still unknown and under investigation,” New Mexico State Police spokesman Dusty Francisco said in a news release. “However, of urgent concern is the whereabouts of Osiel Ernesto Rico.”

Osiel Ernesto Rico and Jorge Rico-Ruvira Photo: Roswell Police Department

An Amber Alert was issued later Tuesday and the FBI is assisting New Mexican authorities in the case. The alert stressed that Osiel is "believed to be in danger."

Osiel is described as 2 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing about 40 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Rico-Ruvira is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall, and 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

The two are believed to be traveling in a 2003 maroon GMC Yukon SUV with a turquoise New Mexico license plate MNF231, according to The Associated Press.

Anyone with potential information regarding Osiel's disappearance or potential whereabouts is asked to contact the Roswell Police Department, police said in a Facebook post.