Federal and state authorities have issued an Amber Alert for three children abducted by their non-custodial father in Clearwater, Florida, late Thursday night. The children, 7-year-old twins Emma and Ethan Rodriguez, and 4-year-old Sophia Rodriguez, were taken from their mother's home.
The children's father, Marcus Rodriguez, 38, was last seen leaving the residence in a white 2023 Ford F-150 with Florida license plate L24RKJ. Security camera footage shows Rodriguez carrying the sleeping children from the home at approximately 11:30 p.m.
"We believe these children are in imminent danger," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Maria Santos. "Marcus Rodriguez has demonstrated a willingness to disregard court orders, and we are treating this as a critical missing persons case."
Jennifer Rodriguez, speaking at a press conference, made an emotional plea for her children's safe return. "My babies are scared and away from everything they know," she said. "Marcus, please bring them back. I'm begging you."
The case has renewed calls for improved enforcement mechanisms to prevent custodial parent abductions, which the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates affect approximately 200,000 children annually.