CYPRESS : 2 Kidnaping Suspects Released on Bonds
Two Arizona brothers accused of kidnaping a 6-year-old boy from his grandmother’s Cypress home were each released Tuesday on a $10,000 bond.
Federal prosecutors allege in a complaint that Aaron and Michael Espinoza abducted Daniel James Lans on March 2 because of a bitter custody dispute between the boy’s grandmother, who has legal custody, and his natural mother.
The brothers allegedly grabbed Daniel from his grandmother, Janet Lans, and then forced him into a car, according to law enforcement officials. Janet Lans sustained minor injuries trying to prevent the boy’s abduction.
On March 5, authorities found Daniel unharmed at an Arizona residence after receiving an anonymous phone call alerting them to his whereabouts. Michael Espinoza, 21, was arrested at the residence and Aaron, 27, surrendered to police a few days later. Aaron is married to Daniel’s natural mother, Nancy Espinoza.
During the Santa Ana federal court hearing Tuesday, Aaron’s attorney, Greg Lindstrom, said that his client was Daniel’s natural father. If he is, prosecutors said, the kidnaping charge would be dropped against Aaron, because a parent cannot be charged with kidnaping his own child under federal law.
However, Assistant U.S. Atty. Stephen Wolfe said that he has been told that Aaron Espinoza is the boy’s stepfather.
Both Espinozas are scheduled to be arraigned May 4.
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