Monica De Leon Barba, a United States citizen who was abducted in Mexico last November while walking home, is finally returning to the US after being set free by her captors. The reasons why her captors released her remain unclear.
The kidnapping incident took place in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Mexico when Monica De Leon Barba was returning home from work accompanied by her dog. (Photo: Newsweek)
Abducted Victim Monica De Leon Barba Released by Captors
According to CNN, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in San Francisco confirmed the news and expressed their relief over her safe release in a recent Twitter post.
The kidnapping incident took place in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Mexico when Monica De Leon Barba was returning home from work accompanied by her dog.
The FBI had previously offered a reward of up to $40,000 for any information leading to her location. The award announcement in March marked the FBI’s first public acknowledgment of their involvement in the case.
In their official statement, the FBI said they are pleased to announce that the abducted Monica De Leon Barba is safe. She is now heading back to the US where she will be reunited with her dog and her family after eight months in captivity.
This development came after Monica De Leon Barba was released by her captors on Friday night, as stated by the FBI. As of now, no arrests have been made, and authorities are actively investigating the identity of the captors, as mentioned in the FBI’s social media post on Saturday.
READ ALSO: Shooting Incident At Port Arthur Apartment Complex Leaves Male Victim Injured
Monica De Leon Barba Heads Back to the US
While the FBI’s investigation is ongoing, the primary focus now is on reuniting the innocent Monica De Leon Barba with her family.
FBI special agent in charge Robert K. Tripp shared a statement on Twitter, saying that the FBI investigation is far from over, but they can now work this case knowing the innocent Monica De Leon Barba is reunited with her family.
According to NBC News, details about Monica De Leon Barba’s treatment during her captivity have not been disclosed. However, the FBI has confirmed that she is currently en route to the United States, where she will be reunited with her family and her beloved dog.
Throughout her ordeal, efforts were consistently made to secure her freedom, as confirmed by the FBI.
According to Robert Tripp that for the past eight months, FBI personnel in California and Mexico have worked tirelessly with the family and with partners. The special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Francisco office also felt relief and joy at the safe return of Monica De Leon Barba.
READ ALSO: Mississippi Deputies Fatally Shoot Burglary Suspect; Investigation Underway
