A 34-year-old Cuban woman was taken into custody in Miami following an unauthorized attempt to take her six-year-old son during a supervised visit. This event triggered a significant police operation, including the issuance of an Amber Alert across the state starting Thursday. Fortunately, law enforcement successfully located the child unharmed just a few hours later.
Ismari Figueroa León, the mother of young Ryan Artiles Figueroa, now faces serious charges for interfering with parental custody, which is considered a felony in Florida.
Supervised Visit Turns into Abduction
The Miami Police Department report indicated that the incident occurred just before 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, during a supervised visit at the South Florida Family Resource Center, located at 1393 SW First St., in Little Havana. According to Local 10 News, the visit was being overseen by a designated specialist, who told detectives that Figueroa León suddenly grabbed the child and fled east on SW First Avenue.
Though the specialist attempted to follow, she lost sight of them near SW 13th Avenue and promptly called 911 to report the abduction. Police obtained surveillance footage showing the woman running with the child in the same direction described. That night, an Amber Alert was issued for Ryan Artiles, warning the public that he might be in a black 2012 Chevrolet Equinox.
Tracking and Arrest
Authorities reported that shortly after 1:00 a.m. on Friday, Figueroa León contacted the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO) on a recorded line, asking, "Why am I on an Amber Alert?" This call allowed officers to pinpoint her location near NE 14th Avenue and Ives Dairy Road.
MDSO officers quickly moved to the area, apprehending Figueroa León and safely recovering the unharmed child. Both were taken to the department's Special Victims Unit for further investigation.
Legal Custody Status and Eviction Background
According to information from Telemundo 51, Figueroa León does not have legal custody of the child for undisclosed reasons, and since March, she was only permitted to see him under supervised conditions. Authorities noted that while she had never missed a visit, this was her first attempt to take the boy without permission.
Neighbors from her previous residence informed authorities that Figueroa León had stopped paying rent, and they never saw a child living with her. There were reports of an eviction order being processed in April.
Arrest and Judicial Proceedings
Figueroa León was officially arrested at 5:18 a.m. on Friday and taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK), where she remains detained. Judge Mindy S. Glazer, presiding over the case, denied her release without bail and set a bond at $2,500.
During the interrogation, which was recorded on video around 3:00 a.m., she was read her Miranda rights in Spanish and chose to exercise her right to remain silent. The child was placed in the care of the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)
As of this report's conclusion, no further details have emerged regarding the case.
Key Information on the Miami Child Abduction Case
What charges is Ismari Figueroa León facing?
Ismari Figueroa León is facing charges of interfering with parental custody, a felony in the state of Florida.
Where did the incident occur?
The incident occurred at the South Florida Family Resource Center in Little Havana, Miami.
Was the child harmed during the incident?
No, the child was found unharmed by the authorities.
What is the current status of the child?
The child has been placed under the care of the Florida Department of Children and Families, which will determine his future custody and protection.