A child who went missing earlier this month in Montrose has been safely located and reunited with family following a 72-hour multi-agency search effort. The recovery, detailed in a Nixle report, was carried out by the LASD Montrose Search and Rescue Team in coordination with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office and community volunteers.
In connection with the disappearance, Brandon Holguin, 25, and Kayleigh Kaplan, 23, both of Thousand Oaks, have been arrested and booked at the Lost Hills Station. The suspects face multiple felony charges, including child abduction, child endangerment, human trafficking, and narcotics violations involving minors. Authorities confirmed that tracking technology and scent dogs played a role in the investigation and arrests.
The case brings renewed attention to the ongoing threat of human trafficking in the region. Acting Captain Ryan A. Vienna of the Crescenta Valley Station commended his team’s dedication, stating, “I wish to express my deepest thanks to the hard work of the Crescenta Valley Station Detective Bureau who worked tirelessly to safely reunite a child with their family and bring these criminals to justice.”
Holguin and Kaplan are scheduled to appear in court in Pasadena on Tuesday, May 13. Law enforcement has emphasized the importance of community vigilance, urging parents and guardians to engage in discussions with children about the dangers of trafficking. “I ask each parent or guardian tonight to check in with their child or children and discuss the dangers associated with human trafficking,” Vienna said.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department continues to lead the LA Regional Human Trafficking Task Force in addressing such crimes. Tips can be submitted anonymously through LA Crime Stoppers or by calling 888-539-2373.
