Los Angeles police are searching for a father who allegedly abducted his two children from their elementary school. Rodion Kolomoeits, 39, picked up his 9-year-old daughter Avaora and 7-year-old son Hrant from school in Sylmar on Tuesday morning. This action comes after he recently lost custody of the children.
Authorities believe Kolomoeits took the kids around 11 a.m. and crossed into Mexico at the San Ysidro border. He was driving a gray 2016 Toyota Prius with the license plate 9PKY966. Police are concerned that he may be trying to return to his native Ukraine with the children.
Avaora is described as 4 feet 6 inches tall, weighing about 75 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a blue shirt and black pants. Hrant is 4 feet tall and weighs around 50 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen in a green and blue sweater and black pants. Both children speak Russian.
The Los Angeles Police Department is urging anyone with information about their whereabouts to call the Mission Division at (818) 838-9810. Those who wish to remain anonymous can reach out to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS or visit their website.
Family abductions are a serious issue, with around 200,000 children taken by family members in the U.S. each year. The LAPD is taking this case seriously and hopes to locate the children quickly for their safety.