A toddler reportedly kidnapped from New Haven more than 25 years ago has been found in Mexico, now a 27-year-old woman. Investigators confirmed that 23-month-old Andrea Michelle Reyes was taken by her mother, Rosa Tenorio, in October 1999. At the time, Tenorio did not have legal custody, and authorities suspected she had fled to Mexico.
Andrea’s father made multiple trips to Mexico searching for her, but his efforts were unsuccessful. New Haven police worked with the FBI to issue a felony arrest warrant for Tenorio, but the case eventually went cold. The search for Andrea seemed to have reached a dead end—until a determined detective reopened it decades later.
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In 2023, New Haven Detective Kealyn Nivakoff, part of the Special Victims Unit, began reexamining old missing persons cases. Through interviews, search warrants, and social media tracking, she discovered that Andrea had been living in Puebla, a city of more than one million people southeast of Mexico City, alongside her mother.
After investigators reached out to Andrea, a Texas-based forensic DNA company, Othram, conducted genetic testing, confirming her identity. Andrea, now 27, was finally reconnected with her biological father. Police did not disclose his name, stating that he wished to remain anonymous following the emotional discovery.
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New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson praised the persistence of law enforcement in solving the case. “This case reflects the hard work of our officers and detectives,” he said. “While cases may have investigative leads exhausted at the time, no cold case is ever truly closed. We remain committed to resolving every cold case, and this is a perfect example of that effort.”
Despite Andrea’s recovery, justice remains complicated. The felony arrest warrant for her mother is still active, but it is only valid within the United States, making prosecution difficult unless Tenorio returns. The case serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how much time passes, some mysteries can still be solved with relentless determination.
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