U.S. Marshals Make Arrest In Missing Kid Case With Hartford Ties

NEW HAVEN, CT — The Connecticut and Massachusetts U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force, assisted by the Massachusetts State Police VFAS unit, Springfield Police Department, Hampden County Sheriff's office and Massachusetts Department of Child and Family Services, Monday recovered two missing children in Springfield, MA and arrested their noncustodial father. The case involved a trip to Hartford.

Both children were reunited with family members, according to an announcement by the U.S. Marshals service.

Luis Gonzalez-Fontanez was taken into custody and transported to the Springfield Police
Department and charged as a fugitive from justice. He will be returned to Puerto Rico and charged with Unlawful Deprivation of Custody, according to the U.S. Marshals service.

According to a news release, the Puerto Rico Police Department contacted the U.S. Marshals office in Puerto Rico on Oct. 10, requesting assistance in locating two missing children who were believed to be with their father, who was a fugitive.

The children had been reported missing on June 6, 2021, when they did not return from a visitation with Gonzalez-Fontanez.

U.S. Marshals investigators developed information that Gonzalez-Fontanez, traveled to Hartford
and then to a Tyler Street residence in Springfield where the children were recovered and Gonzalez-Fontanez arrested, according to a news release.