Police are still looking for the accused kidnapper of 2-year-old Camila Guzman a day after an amber alert was issued; a family lawyer says situations like this can be common.
Camila Guzman is safe and back with her mother Tuesday as police still search for her suspected kidnapper, Luis Valentine.
Laurie Groff lives on the street Valentine was last seen along SE 5th Pl in Cape Coral. Like many, she received an amber alert, but also a knock at her door Monday from police.
“When I looked outside, there were car police cars everywhere,” Groff said. “Finally, the police officer knocked on my door and told me what was going on, that they had suspicious activity that was possibly a kidnapping.”
Cape Coral Police asked her about 2-year-old Camila Guzman.
Fort Myers police said Luis Valentin took Camila after a fight with his ex-girlfriend, who is Camila’s mother. He ran off with the girl.
“It was scary, though, not knowing what was going on initially, and when the officer said that there was a canal over there, that was kind of heart-wrenching,” she said. “I was afraid that something terrible had happened.”
Valentin called a family member to return Camila, but then he took off again.
The 24-year-old accused kidnapper is no stranger to the inside of a jail cell in Lee County.
Attorney Natasha Lormil practices family law at the North Law firm. She said situations like this do not shock her.
“We live in a time where we don't have the traditional bio mom and bio dad,” she said. “Now we live in a time where we have blended families, and sometimes it can be blended by marriage or just simply by someone dating someone, but help to raise the child.”
Police are still searching for Valentin.
“I would tell him to come forward,” Lormil said. “It's a really unfortunate incident. It is no good to stay in hiding. Not for his benefit, at least.”
Luis is facing two charges, one for kidnapping and the other for battery of a pregnant female.
If you do know where he is, call police or SWFL Crimestoppers.