Police are searching for a missing California family of four who they believe were “taken against their will” by an armed man, investigators said Monday.
The family includes 8-month-old Aroohi Dheri; her 27-year-old mother, Jasleen Kaur; her 36-year-old father, Jasdeep Singh; and her 39-year-old uncle, Amandeep Singh, according to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.
A person of interest was in custody Tuesday and receiving medical attention after attempting to take his own life, the sheriff’s office said.
The family was “taken against their will” from a business in Merced County in California’s Central Valley on Monday, the sheriff’s office said.
“We have a lowlife out there who kidnapped an 8-month-old baby, her mom, her dad and her uncle,” Sheriff Vern Warnke said in a video statement.
RACISM IN SEARCH FOR MISSING CHILDREN:Posts seeking missing Black children get much less attention than posts of white kids
Investigators have not determined a motive behind the reported kidnapping.
Warnke said the sheriff’s office has made no contact with the kidnapper and there have been no offers for ransom. Investigators also believe the kidnapper destroyed evidence “in an attempt to cover their tracks,” Warnke said.
Tuesday morning, the sheriff’s office said ATM activity was detected using one of the victims’ accounts in Atwater, California, in Merced County. Surveillance footage showed a man similar in appearance to the suspect at the abduction site, and police identified him as 48-year-old Jesus Manuel Salgado.
“Prior to law enforcement involvement, Salgado attempted to take his own life,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
5 THINGS TO KNOW:Some missing children cases get more attention online than others
Detectives are canvassing for additional information, and aircrafts are searching for the family, Warnke said, pleading with the public to help in the effort.
“We’re asking for your help,” he said. “We need your help, and we’ve got to bring this family home safely.”
Contact News Now Reporter Christine Fernando at cfernando@usatoday.com or follow her on Twitter at @christinetfern.
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY