Topline: Police say the Texas woman was paid by the children’s non-custodial father to bring them across the border.
Published: August 19, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Cindy Sanchez (via Aurora Police Department)
AURORA, IL — A Texas woman is behind bars after allegedly flying into Illinois, abducting two children under false pretenses, and attempting to smuggle them to Mexico—on orders from their non-custodial father.
The Aurora Police Department reported that the incident began around 3:30 p.m. on August 14, when officers responded to a possible kidnapping in the 500 block of Rosewood Avenue. Family members told police that an unknown woman had arrived at the home where two juveniles, ages 11 and 13, were staying and claimed she was there to pick them up on their mother’s behalf. The woman left with the children—but their mother later confirmed she had not sent anyone.
According to the Aurora Police, the suspect—47-year-old Cindy Sanchez of Fort Worth, Texas—is related to the children’s father, who does not have legal custody. Investigators later learned that he had paid Sanchez to bring the children to him in Mexico via the Texas border.
The Chicago Police Department was brought in to assist and tracked Sanchez down at Midway Airport along with the two children. Aurora officers responded to the airport, confirmed the children were safe, and returned them to their family.
Sanchez was arrested on the spot. She has been charged with two counts each of kidnapping (a Class 2 felony), child abduction, and unlawful restraint (both Class 4 felonies). She is currently being held at the Kane County Jail pending a pre-trial hearing.
The children were unharmed and remain with their family, according to authorities.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Woman Accused of Kidnapping Two Children in Plot to Smuggle Them to Mexico
Police say the Texas woman was paid by the children’s non-custodial father to bring them across the border.
By Jacob Charles
Published: August 19, 2025 8:00 am ET
Cindy Sanchez (via Aurora Police Department)
AURORA, IL — A Texas woman is behind bars after allegedly flying into Illinois, abducting two children under false pretenses, and attempting to smuggle them to Mexico—on orders from their non-custodial father.
The Aurora Police Department reported that the incident began around 3:30 p.m. on August 14, when officers responded to a possible kidnapping in the 500 block of Rosewood Avenue. Family members told police that an unknown woman had arrived at the home where two juveniles, ages 11 and 13, were staying and claimed she was there to pick them up on their mother’s behalf. The woman left with the children—but their mother later confirmed she had not sent anyone.
According to the Aurora Police, the suspect—47-year-old Cindy Sanchez of Fort Worth, Texas—is related to the children’s father, who does not have legal custody. Investigators later learned that he had paid Sanchez to bring the children to him in Mexico via the Texas border.
The Chicago Police Department was brought in to assist and tracked Sanchez down at Midway Airport along with the two children. Aurora officers responded to the airport, confirmed the children were safe, and returned them to their family.
Sanchez was arrested on the spot. She has been charged with two counts each of kidnapping (a Class 2 felony), child abduction, and unlawful restraint (both Class 4 felonies). She is currently being held at the Kane County Jail pending a pre-trial hearing.
The children were unharmed and remain with their family, according to authorities.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Woman Accused of Kidnapping Two Children in Plot to Smuggle Them to Mexico
Police say the Texas woman was paid by the children’s non-custodial father to bring them across the border.
By Jacob Charles
Published: August 19, 2025 8:00 am ET
Cindy Sanchez (via Aurora Police Department)
AURORA, IL — A Texas woman is behind bars after allegedly flying into Illinois, abducting two children under false pretenses, and attempting to smuggle them to Mexico—on orders from their non-custodial father.
The Aurora Police Department reported that the incident began around 3:30 p.m. on August 14, when officers responded to a possible kidnapping in the 500 block of Rosewood Avenue. Family members told police that an unknown woman had arrived at the home where two juveniles, ages 11 and 13, were staying and claimed she was there to pick them up on their mother’s behalf. The woman left with the children—but their mother later confirmed she had not sent anyone.
According to the Aurora Police, the suspect—47-year-old Cindy Sanchez of Fort Worth, Texas—is related to the children’s father, who does not have legal custody. Investigators later learned that he had paid Sanchez to bring the children to him in Mexico via the Texas border.
The Chicago Police Department was brought in to assist and tracked Sanchez down at Midway Airport along with the two children. Aurora officers responded to the airport, confirmed the children were safe, and returned them to their family.
Sanchez was arrested on the spot. She has been charged with two counts each of kidnapping (a Class 2 felony), child abduction, and unlawful restraint (both Class 4 felonies). She is currently being held at the Kane County Jail pending a pre-trial hearing.
The children were unharmed and remain with their family, according to authorities.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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