The person at the center of this case
Austin Cole Hernandez
Missing Person · Open
29 years waiting · since 1997
GILBERT ARREDONDO HERNANDEZ
Justice for Austin Cole Hernandez — the trail went cold in 1997, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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person
Lead #1Where is Gilbert Arredondo Hernandez and his son Austin Cole Hernandez now, over 25 years later?
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location
Lead #2Why were Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Bernardino counties, and Mexico identified as possible locations for the suspects?
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clue
Lead #3Has there been any confirmed sighting or contact with either Gilbert or Austin since 1997?
Gilbert Arredondo Hernandez allegedly kidnapped his young son, Austin Cole Hernandez, from Tehachapi, California on April 28, 1997, and fled to avoid prosecution. Austin was only about one year old at the time of the abduction. Despite federal charges issued in November 1997, both remain missing and may be in Nevada, California, or Mexico.
Case
#1117
FBI - Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution; Kern County Sheriff's Office
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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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evidence
Lead #4What evidence or intelligence led to the federal charges for unlawful flight being filed in November 1997?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution - Parental Abduction Caution: Gilbert Arredondo Hernandez is wanted for allegedly kidnapping his son, Austin Cole Hernandez, from Tehachapi, California, on April 28, 1997. A local arrest warrant was issued for Hernandez on May 28, 1997, by the Kern County Sheriff's Office after he was charged with parental abduction.
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Hernandez on November 4, 1997, in the United States District Court, Eastern District of California, Bakersfield, California, after he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Austin Cole Hernandez is described as a White (Hispanic) male with brown hair, brown eyes, and a Date of Birth of June 10, 1996.
Remarks: Hernandez may be in the area of Las Vegas, Nevada; Los Angeles or San Bernadino counties of California, or Mexico.
Timeline of Events
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1997-04-28
Abduction of Austin Cole Hernandez
Gilbert Arredondo Hernandez allegedly kidnapped his son Austin Cole Hernandez from Tehachapi, California
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1997-05-28
Local arrest warrant issued
Kern County Sheriff's Office issued a local arrest warrant for Gilbert Arredondo Hernandez on charges of parental abduction
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1997-11-04
Federal arrest warrant issued
United States District Court, Eastern District of California, Bakersfield issued a federal arrest warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:April 28, 1997
Last Updated:September 12, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:April 28, 1997
Last Updated:September 12, 2026