Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Santa Fe, NM: Mother found dead, son missing

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) - Police and sheriff's departments across the region are searching for a Santa Fe man believed to have murdered his ex-girlfriend and kidnapped their youngest son.

Sheriff's deputies say Jose Soto went into the victim's mobile home on Airport Road in Santa Fe early Tuesday morning. They believe the two started arguing, and then witnesses say Soto shot Patricia Cisneros, 34.

He then grabbed 5-year-old Cesar Melendez and took off.

Detectives aren't sure where the man is headed. Soto, who also goes by Jose Melendez Trillo, has ties to Mexico, Colorado, Missouri and the town of Bernaillo. He was last seen driving a green 1997 Ford Expedition with a red hood, red fender and red door. The SUV has New Mexico license plate KAX-140.

Authorities are desperately searching for the little boy. He was last seen wearing camouflage pajama bottoms and a light-green T-shirt. Cesar also has a blue cast on his right arm. His family is eager to get him back.

"(Soto) didn't even have money. He doesn't have a job or anything, so Cesar might be hungry," said Cisneros' niece Gabriela Cazares.

The couple has two other children together ages 15 and 11. All three, including Cesar were inside when the incident happened.

Investigators think Soto could be armed and dangerous. The victim's family reports the couple was fighting earlier in the week. They say Soto stole Cisneros' cell phone on Monday and had been fighting about their involvment with other partners.

A fund has been set up for the victim's family at Wells Fargo Banks in Santa Fe. It is under Patricia Cisneros.

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