Lemon Grove Man Suspected of Abducting His 3 Children

Authorities are searching for a man suspected of abducting his three children during a scheduled visitation in Chula Vista on Saturday.

According to the Chula Vista Police Department, Francisco Ramirez, 34, is wanted for allegedly taking Francisco Ramirez-Leon, 11, Bridget Ramirez-Leon, 9, and Xitlali Ramirez-Leon, 21 months, from the home of relatives who have custody of the children.

Ramirez is described as Latino, 6 feet tall, 180 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. He was last seen in the 1000 block of Fourth Avenue in Chula Vista, wearing a black T-shirt and jeans. He is driving a GMC Yukon and was possibly headed toward Mexico where he has family, according to police.

The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that Ramirez is a resident of Lemon Grove. The report says an aunt and uncle, who were awarded custody of the two girls and a boy due to domestic violence between Ramirez and his ex-wife, called police at about 12:30 p.m.

Ramirez had been seeing the children for a scheduled visitation on Saturday in the couple's apartment. The couple briefly left the home, and when they returned Ramirez and the children were gone.

The Chula Vista Police Department asks anyone with information to contact them at 619-691-5151 or 619-691-5202.

City News Service contributed to this report.