FBI arrests suspect in connection with the disappearance of his 14-year-old niece

The FBI has arrested a suspect in Mexico in connection with the disappearance of his 14-year-old niece.

Antonio Moreno, 31, who has lived in Kaysville, Utah, for the past three years, suddenly traveled to Mexico with his niece and two daughters, ages 4 and 6, on June 30, according to the FBI’s Salt Lake City field office. Moreno did not ask the mothers for permission before leaving with the children.

All three girls were found safe and sound by Mexican authorities in Veracruz, Mexico, around 9:30 p.m. on Friday, the FBI said in a news release. Moreno was found with the girls.

Moreno’s niece is an American citizen and his daughters are Mexican citizens.

A federal arrest warrant has been issued for Moreno on charges related to the disappearance of his niece, which the FBI says also includes kidnapping.

“Extradition proceedings will be initiated to bring Moreno back to the United States to face these charges,” the FBI said.

In a press release issued before the girls were discovered, the FBI said it believes Moreno and the three girls were traveling together. Surveillance video from Mexico shows the three girls getting into a taxi, the FBI said, adding that it believes Moreno may have manipulated the niece into getting into the taxi.