Mother allegedly abducts son from foster parents at Buena Park Mall, is sought by police
Police asked for the public’s help Tuesday, July 14, in locating a 6-year-old boy and his biological mother, who is suspected of abducting him from his foster parents during a supervised visit in Buena Park on Sunday.
Stephanie Szolatabic, 34, of Anaheim, along with her son, Wyatt Bowen, and the child’s foster mother were together at Five Below in the Buena Park Mall during a scheduled visit over the weekend, Buena Park Police Sgt. Mario Escamilla said. She left with the boy without permission, and their whereabouts remained unclear as of Tuesday evening. A warrant has been issued for her arrest.
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“Our investigators have no immediate indication that the boy might be harmed,” Escamilla said. “But this abduction was unlawful, and he needs to go back to his foster parents.”
Szolatabic was described as a woman standing 5 feet and 7 inches tall and weighing about 128 lbs., police said. She was last seen having purple-tinted hair, but was also pictured with blonde hair in a photos distributed by authorities.
It was unclear if Szolatabic had a vehicle, Escamilla said. Authorities did not discuss the circumstances that resulted in her losing custody of her son.
Officials have asked anyone who might have seen Szolatabic to contact Buena Park Police by either calling 714-532-3902, or sending an email to mru@bppd.com.