Deseret News | West Valley family pleads for return of missing children

Reader comments
West Valley family pleads for return of missing children

uncannygunman | 8:01 a.m. Sept. 2, 2008

So what, the kids are with their dad. He's not that bad of a guy or he wouldn't be allowed 23-hour unsupervised visitations to begin with. They'll turn up sooner or later.

The credibility of the Amber alert as an emergency response system takes another hit.

Annie | 8:05 a.m. Sept. 2, 2008

If a person is physically abusive, how do they get any visitation?

Anonymous | 8:37 a.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Though this is bad, it isn't anywhere near as scarry as if it were stranger abduction.

Comments continue below

Seriously? | 9:32 a.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Some of these comments are about as dumb as they can be...So, I guess it's all okay then that these kids are with their physically abusive father, who lost custody of these three kids because of his abuse. It doesn't matter who these kids are with, whether it's their father or some unknown person, if they're in danger of being abused it's a big deal. No child should ever have to face any sort of abuse, whether it's at the hands of their father or somebody else.

courtwatcher | 9:37 a.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Divorce Disputes is not what Amber Alert was about but is now come out of its intended effectiveness for a Division of Family Services expansion of Government.

Anonymous | 10:33 a.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Question: After an Amber Alert is issued, do we call 911 to report a potential sighting?

Anonymous | 11:24 a.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Yes, you call 911 to report a sighting.

Anonymous | 11:57 a.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Think of these kids regardless what you think. If you see anything or anyone with these children please call 911

Anonymous | 1:38 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Why is he allowed unsupervised visitation if he is abusive, but Britney Spears is not?

Bring Them Home | 5:07 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Stranger Danger is a good thing that htye did teach in Schools a long time ago, i wish that they still did that, I am not really sure if they do or not, but if they don't, it would be a good thing to start teaching the little kids about it, so make sure that this kind of thing does not happen again

I hope.... | 5:23 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

they are found ASAP and I do hope that they are all alright. My prayers are with them...

Read the Details | 8:17 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Come on people, READ the Details before posting.
THe Court ordered the visits be supervised. HIS SISTER, allowed the unsupervised visits. His behavior was bad enough the courts took his kids, and had no unsupervised visits ordered. Can we take the sister to court for child endangerment for not following the court orders? Hope so.

Tina | 8:45 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Looks like he took his anchor babies and fled back to Mexico. Although, too bad for the mom.

2nd Question | 11:13 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Second Question- After an Amber Alert is issued, do we call 911 or the Deseret News to report a non-sighting? Just wondering.

anon | 5:48 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Under reader comments, it says "14 comments." However, none appear and the message said that I would be the first to comment. This has happened before. What gives?

Anonymous | 7:11 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

The ignorance of these comments is appalling. An Amber Alert applies to any child missing and in peril, whether or not the child knows the kidnapper. What a bunch of unfeeling idiots.

CP | 7:27 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

If there is a sighting you don't call the paper you call 911.
Second, after reading this article I understand the visits were to be SUPERVISED. It was the AUNT who had custody that didn't give that supervision. And so the abusive parents found a "golden opportunity" and ran with those kids. Most likely for the border of Mexico is my guess. I feel if a parent is abusive they shouldn't have any kind of visitation rights at all. And if these kids are found they shouldn't be returned to the Aunt at all - but to another who is more responsible for the care of these kids and who isn't so nieve about their welfare.

Midwest Law Officer | 9:58 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

First and foremost we all need to pray for the safety and quick return of these children. Secondly, you as citizens need to demand reform of Utah's child welfare laws. If the reports of this man being dangerous, having inflicted "serious injury" that required medical treatments for these children are true, then why did he have any access at all to the children? Why subject them to the trauma of having to remain with their abuser? As messed up as Child Protective Services are in the midwest, at least supervised visits are just that - Supervised, and by a law enforcement officer or Child Protective Services professional, not by a custodial family member. I've heard so many times from the pulpit and at conference that the primary concern and priority is for the abused. Please put that counsel into practice and put pressure on your lawmakers to truely protect children by reforming laws and resources. If the safety of the abused were the highest priority, then situations like this are far less likely to occur.

Pray for return? | 11:46 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

I pray they have a fulfilling life in Mexico City. Think about how much money this father is saving the taxpayers of Utah by doing the responsible thing and taking his children back where they belong. No more public welfare, education, medical care for these kids. It's too bad he couldn't gather more anchor babies up on his way out....

G | 12:05 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

I'm with the officer from the midwest who commented that Utah's laws were not designed to truly protect the children in this case. No visitation for abusive parents should be allowed without a police officer there. If you abuse you lose the right to have more opportunities to abuse. You lose the parental rights you could have had if you could have controlled your behavior. The laws should not be about second chances for parents. They should be about protecting children.

To Seriously? | 12:18 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Amen to your comments. The posters who speak of the children not being in danger because they are with their Father are totally ignorant, or didn't read the article all the way through! The Father is physically abusive, putting the children in grave danger! Let's pray for a safe return of these innocent, precious children.

Dangerous situation | 2:01 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Some of the commentators above cannot be serious. I think they are spouting off to get a response from people with real human intelligence and feelings.

However it happened, these children were taken away from their biological sperm donor, called their father, who had been found to be seriously abusing them by a court of law. He was ordered to have no unsupervised visits with them. He did have many supervised visits and apparently lulled his sister into a false sense of security so that he could abduct them.

It can only be assumed that this man could abuse again, or worse, kill his children. The children are very young and cannot help themselves out of this situation.

Whatever their nationality or background, the only issue for anyone who calls themselves a human being, is that they be rescued as soon as possible.

m | 4:13 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

To: Pray for Return? 11:46 AM

Are you kidding me? I hope you are just trying to sound like a jerk and do not really mean the heartless things you said. If your post is for real then I really feel sorry for you and everyone you come in contact with.

RL | 5:03 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Are the "people" commenting on here even out of high school yet? Holy cow, READ the whole article and THINK, before you post!

Ema | 6:41 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

To be somewhat fair, some of the older comments on here are saved from previous versions of this story without as much information. Still, I think it's obvious that just because the man is their father doesn't automatically mean he is a safe person for the kids to be with. I hope they are safe.

jj | 9:05 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Why does the State allow a family member to take children who have been severly abused? How can a sister keep saying no and not give in. However, the sister knew how the children had been abused before so why even give him the chance to do it again. If visits are to be supervised that is exactly what it means. Heaven only knows what is going to happen to those innocent children. I pray he doesn't kill them.

jj | 9:14 p.m. Sept. 3, 2008

To:Pray for return?
Are you so un-caring that you would post such a terrible comment? If you really feel that way I feel very sorry for you. How can you take this so lightly when three children will probably never be seen again? You are disgusting.

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4 photos

Israel Hernandez, 30. An Amber Alert was issued late Monday after Hernandez failed to return his three children to their legal guardian. Police believe the man could be headed toward California or Mexico in either a maroon Chevrolet Corsica or a black Cadillac Escalade.

Gallery (4 photos)

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West Valley family pleads for return of missing children

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West Valley family pleads for return of missing children