Abducted Boy Found Safe At Dublin Hotel

DUBLIN, CA – A boy who was allegedly abducted by his father Monday in Modesto was found safe Tuesday morning in Dublin, authorities said. An Amber Alert was issued Monday evening for 6-year-old Jayce Cosso, who authorities said was violently abducted by his 41-year-old father John Cosso.

Police were called at about 7:30 a.m. Monday after John allegedly kidnapped Jayce from his home in the 3700 block of Poinsettia Drive in Modesto.

The boy's mother, Kimberly Valente, told KTVU that a stranger posing as a utility worker knocked on her door around 7 a.m. Monday. A group of men then broke down the door and pepper sprayed everyone in the home.

Valente said she grabbed Jayce, ran to her car and locked the doors, but Cossa, his older son and another man broke in and took Jayce, KTVU reported.

Several people were reportedly involved in the abduction. By Monday night, police identified Renee Quijada as a person of interest in the case.

John and Jayce Cosso were believed to be in a black 2012 Ford Fusion with California license plate number 8BDY654 in the San Francisco Bay Area, Central California or another location, police said.

Jayce was found safe and in good health around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday at La Quinta Inn & Suites on Dublin Boulevard, Dublin police Capt. Nate Schmidt said.

Investigators found the suspect vehicle at the motel and set up surveillance, according to Alameda County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly. When John and Jayce Cosso came out of the motel a short time later, officers detained the father and safely took the son into protective custody, Kelly said.

"There was good collaboration and cooperation" between the officers from different agencies who worked together, Kelly said.

"Modesto police worked through the night, we did our little part and the Amber Alert system worked," Kelly said.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call the Modesto Police Department at 209-552-2470 or Crime Stopper's at 209-521-4636.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Motel photo by Autumn Johnson/Patch

Other photos via Modesto Police Department