4 year old Juliani Cardenas was abducted by Jose Rodriguez on January 18, 2011 from Patterson, California. A warrant was issued for Rodriguez on the same day for child abduction.
Jose Rodriguez, 27 years old, dated Juliani’s mother, Tabitha Cardenas, but was not Juliani’s biological father.
Rodriguez allegedly physically took young Juliani from his grandmother in Patterson.
An initial Amber Alert suspected Rodriguez to be traveling to San Jose in a silver or beige Toyota Corolla with CA license plates 6HBW445. The car was reported to have oversized aluminum wheels and the right front tire was a spare wheel.
On January 28, 2011, a silver 2003 Toyota Corolla was found and recovered from the Delta-Mendota Canal by a private dive team. The car was confirmed to be the same car Rodriguez was reported to have been driving.
Merced County Sheriff Department Deputy Tom MacKenzie reported sad news on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at around 11am.
“A small child was pulled from the Delta Mendota Canal whose physical and clothing description match that of the missing Amber Alert child from Stanislaus County,” said Merced Deputy MacKenzie. “No positive identification has been made and will not be made until DNA testing is done.”
The body was discovered 31 miles south of Patterson where Juliani was taken, near Santa Nella.
Tabitha Cardenas posted on her facebook page, “I’m not talking to the press or anyone else I just had to let you all know before the news does…”
“I have the worst news in the world to tell you all…='( My son’s body has been found in the canal no DNA has confirmed it but it’s his clothes and shoes have and it’s a 4 year old boy. So I want everyone to pray that Jose’s body is found so we can all know that he’s burning in HELL and I don’t have to worry about him taking my unborn baby girl….='( “
Law enforcement has not located Jose Rodriguez as of February 1, 2011.
Deputy MacKenzie stated that more information will follow shortly.
Date Missing: 1/18/2011Missing From: Patterson, CA
DOB: 6/22/2006
Age at Disappearance: 4
Sex: Male
Race: Hispanic
Height: 3’6"
Weight: 40 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
Abductor: Jose Rodriguez
DOB: 5/30/1983
Sex: Male
Race: Hispanic
Height: 5’9"
Weight: 180
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
