On January 29, 2013, at approximately 11:00 a.m., deputies with the Pima County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Check Welfare at 3840 South Palo Verde Road. Upon arrival, deputies learned that a male who worked at this location had just been confronted by a group of six individuals.
The victim described that he had cared for his wife’s 2-year-old baby boy, King Gomez. The baby’s biological father, identified as Luis Ernesto Soberanes (24), had entered the victim’s workplace together with the child’s maternal grandmother, Guadelupe Legarda, the child’s maternal aunt, Fernanda Mendoza, and three unidentified males.
While the victim was being detained against his will by Soberanes, one of the males went to a room where the child was sleeping. He took the baby and handed him to the aunt. While detaining him, Soberanes threatened to harm the victim. Once they had the baby in their possession, all six individuals left from the location.
Detectives with the Pima County Domestic Violence Unit are investigating the incident as it was determined that the mother of the child has sole custody. A search warrant was obtained and executed and Legarda and Mendoza are now in custody. Soberanes had previous law enforcement contact and is considered to have violent tendencies. Do not approach him. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Soberanes you are urged to call 9-1-1 or 88-CRIME.
