A $20,000 reward in the unsolved case of the kidnapping of a Southern California child 20 years ago in Mexico City was announced Friday.
Born in Los Angeles, Joshua Keshaba Sierra Garcia would now be 21 years old. He disappeared on the morning of August 12, 2003 while visiting Mexico City with relatives.
“While many investigative steps have been taken to find Joshua over the years, both in the United States and in Mexico, we have not given up hope that we can find him and determine what happened to him 20 years ago,” Donald Always said. , assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.
At the time of the abduction, Garcia was in the custody of relatives with whom he traveled to Mexico City for a baptism, the FBI said.
“During the abduction, Joshua’s 14-year-old nanny was murdered,” the FBI said in a statement. “After a series of ransom calls, a delivery of money resulted in the arrest of a kidnapper by Mexican law enforcement authorities who is currently serving a long prison sentence in Mexico. Joshua has never been found.”
The agency announced the reward on Friday and posted photos of Garcia, including age progression pictures of what he would look like today.
“I am hopeful that the reward offer, a new photograph, as well as additional investigative techniques will bring someone that information that will lead to Joshua and help us solve this case for his family,” Always said.
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office at 310-477-6565. Suggestions can also be sent anonymous here. Informants can also contact their local FBI office. Anyone abroad can contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.
