The person at the center of this case
Francina Dacanay Fernandez
Missing Person · Open
21 years waiting · since 2004
FRANCINA DACANAY FERNANDEZ
Justice for Francina Dacanay Fernandez — the trail went cold in 2004, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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location
Lead #1Why did Fernandez choose the Philippines as a destination, and does she have family or established connections there that would facilitate hiding?
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suspect
Lead #2Has Fernandez been located in the Philippines or elsewhere, and are there any confirmed sightings or communications from her or the children since November 2004?
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evidence
Lead #3How did Fernandez obtain travel documents for the children without their passports, and what airline or transportation method was used?
Francina Dacanay Fernandez disappeared in November 2004 after a San Diego family court ordered her to surrender her three sons' passports and prohibited international travel. She reportedly fled with her children, likely to the Philippines, violating custody orders and abandoning her job. Federal authorities believe she took the children out of the country in violation of court orders, making this an international parental kidnapping case that remains unsolved.
Case
#1120
FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation); San Diego County District Attorney; United States District Court, Southern District of California
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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contact
Lead #4What communications occurred between Fernandez and the children's father after the court order, and did anyone assist her in fleeing?
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person
Lead #5The three sons are now adults—have any of them made contact with authorities or their father, and what do they know about their mother's whereabouts?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
International Parental Kidnapping - Detainment or Consealment of a Child From Legal Custodian During the course of their relationship, Francina Fernandez and her boyfriend had three boys, who are now adults. The couple never married and in June of 2001 the relationship ended.
The two became embroiled in a very lengthy and aggressive custody-visitation dispute in the San Diego Family Court. In early November of 2004, the mother reportedly mentioned to the father that she and the children were planning a 2-week vacation in New Zealand.
He told her that the trip would violate the court orders, and Fernandez's attorney was served with a notice of an ex-parte hearing scheduled for November 8, 2004. At the hearing, a judge ordered that neither parent could take the children out of the jurisdiction of the court and that the children's passports were to be relinquished.
The passports were never returned. Also, in November it was reported that Fernandez abruptly left her job and a relative filed a missing person's report for her.
Fernandez may have fled with her children to the Philippines. On December 9, 2004, a state warrant was issued in the state of California, San Diego County, charging Francina Dacanay Fernandez with three counts of child abduction.
A federal arrest warrant was subsequently issued on February 4, 2005, in the United States District Court, Southern District of California, charging Fernandez with international parental kidnapping. Remarks: Francina Fernandez has ties to California and the Philippines.
Timeline of Events
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2001-06
Relationship ended and custody dispute began
Francina Fernandez and her boyfriend separated; the couple had three sons together and became embroiled in a lengthy custody-visitation dispute in San Diego Family Court.
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2004-11-08
Ex-parte hearing and court order issued
Judge ordered that neither parent could take the children out of court jurisdiction and that children's passports be relinquished. Passports were never returned.
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2004-11
Francina Fernandez disappears with her three sons
Fernandez abruptly left her job and disappeared with her children. A relative filed a missing person's report. She is believed to have fled to the Philippines.
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2004-12-09
State warrant issued
California state warrant issued in San Diego County charging Francina Dacanay Fernandez with three counts of child abduction.
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2005-02-04
Federal arrest warrant issued
United States District Court, Southern District of California issued a federal arrest warrant charging Fernandez with international parental kidnapping.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:June 1, 2001
Last Updated:May 19, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:June 1, 2001
Last Updated:May 19, 2026