Police Checking Many Tips in Kidnaping of Baby

Los Angeles police said Sunday they were following numerous tips in the kidnaping of a 6-month-old Highland Park girl by a woman who claimed to be an Avon saleswoman, but investigators have not developed any substantial leads.

“We’ve received many new leads from the public,” said Officer Sanford Goldstyn. “There have probably been 100 calls, including many to other police departments. But unfortunately there’s nothing solid. We’ve followed a bunch of leads today, but nothing panned out.”

The kidnaper gained the confidence of the Northeast Los Angeles woman over several visits and then abducted the baby when the mother left home for a brief trip to a market, police said.

Jessica Flores was kidnaped about 6 p.m. Friday, setting off an around-the-clock police search, Goldstyn said.

Police described the kidnaper as Latina, 35 to 40, weighing about 140 pounds with black hair and blotches on her cheeks. She speaks English and Spanish, police said, and was wearing yellow sandals and a white skirt with black polka dots when neighbors saw her walking away with the baby.

The baby was wearing a white tank top and diaper. Early Saturday, the mother received a call from the woman, who talked of wanting to return the baby, police said. But by late evening, the abductor still had not done so, and it remained unclear whether the woman would follow through, Goldstyn said.

Police said they are asking the kidnaper to take the child to a fire station, hospital or church.