UPDATE: Girl, 5, found safe after Mpls. cops seek public's help
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Updated: 10:10 p.m. | Posted 4:45 p.m.
Minneapolis police say a 5-year-old girl who was “forcefully taken” from her home Wednesday afternoon by her mother, was found “safe and sound,” later in the evening. Police said her mother and a man are in custody.
Naila Amariana Pantoja-Perez was with her custodial father when she was allegedly taken by Serenity Joy Jones, 28, and an unknown male from her home in the 3100 block of Cedar Avenue South.
The pair made a “forced entry into the apartment, grabbed the child and fled in an unknown vehicle,” the police said in a statement Thursday, adding that authorities were concerned for Naila’s welfare.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
Dear reader,
Your voice matters. And we want to hear it.
Will you help shape the future of Minnesota Public Radio by taking our short Listener Survey?
It only takes a few minutes, and your input helps us serve you better—whether it’s news, culture, or the conversations that matter most to Minnesotans.