Harbor City Man Wanted For The Abduction Of His 2 Children

HARBOR CITY (CBSLA.com) — Sheriff's deputies Thursday sought the public's help in locating two children who were abducted by their father.

Charles Samuel Baines Sr. took his two children, Charles Jr. and Nathaniel James Baines, on Wednesday from the 24800 block of Normandie Avenue in Harbor City, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.

Baines Sr. is bipolar and does not have custody of the children or permission to take the children from the home, according to authorities.

The children were in the custody of Baines' mother Judith, who was sleeping at the time of their abduction, according to officials.

Judith Baines told CBS2's Melanie Woodrow her son was staying in her home after he was released on parole for a felony DUI charge, and she let her son take the two boys to the park Wednesday.

When they returned from the park, she took a nap and awoke to find the children were gone and her wallet, cell phone and vehicle had been stolen. She also said Baines Sr. is without prescribed medication for his bipolar disorder.

The Sheriff's Department said Baines Sr. crossed the Mexican border.

"We've contacted the FBI and we've contacted the Border Patrol, and all the other agencies that line the border," LASD Sgt. Romeo Pasqual said.

Baines, 36, and the children are believed to be traveling in a stolen 4-door, 2008 Kia Spectra with a license plate of 6FMN288.

The suspect is described as 6 feet 4 inches tall, 270 pounds with brown eyes and a shaved head.

"Suspect Baines has a facial tattoo with the words 'Drug Cartel' on his left cheek," officials said.

"I guess it now falls on the Mexican authorities to please, please, please find him before he does something really bad," Judith Baines said. "I want them back."

Anyone with information on his or the children's whereabouts should contact the LASD's Carson Station at (310) 830-1123.