UPDATED NEWS RELEASE – Sarasota, Fla. – April 10, 2014 – 1 p.m. The Amber Alert that was issued for Brianna Martinez-Lujano, 5 months old, and Aldequndo Benitez-Caivillo, 31 years old, was cancelled just before 9 a.m. this morning. The child was found safe in an unincorporated area of Palmetto (Manatee County) with Aldequndo Benitez-Caivillo. At this time, it is unlikely that criminal charges will be filed because the Sarasota Police Department does not have probable cause that there was intent to commit a crime.
On Thursday at about 1 a.m., officers responded to the Sarasota Police Department in reference a suspicious incident. A man, Lucio Martinez-Lopez, stated his wife, Teresa Martinez-Lujano, had been transported to the hospital with a medical emergency where she later passed away from natural causes.
Lucio told officers that Teresa and Aldequndo (the man in the Amber Alert) have been in a relationship for the past year. Lucio also told officers that he and Teresa have a 5 month old daughter (Brianna – Child in Amber Alert).
Lucio told officers he was told Teresa, Brianna (Amber Alert child) and Aldequndo (Amber Alert man) checked into the Cadillac Motel, 4021 N Tamiami Trail, just before Teresa was transported to the hospital. Aldequndo was with Teresa before she was transported to the hospital and took custody of the child until he could alert the proper authorities. Lucio told officers he was concerned the child would be taken away from Florida. Aldequndo and the child were last seen at the motel at approximately 10:45 p.m. Wednesday.
Officers began working with the Bradenton Police Department to respond to 2202 14th Ave. East in Bradenton. This address was given by Aldequndo when he checked into the Cadillac Motel. Aldequndo nor the child were at the above location. A second address was given by family members (1405 23rd Street East, Bradenton) in which Aldequndo’s brother lives. No one was at this location either.
A BOLO (Be On the Look Out) was issued for Aldequndo and Brianna as well as Aldequndo’s vehicle, a 2003 Silver Dodge Ram Pickup at approximately 3 a.m.
At approximately 4:30 a.m., the Sarasota Police Department was provided with a birth certificate, in which it showed Lucio is the legal father and guardian of Brianna. Lucio also provided photos of the child and Aldequndo to officers. Throughout the night, there was some question as to who the father was which was determined by the birth certificate.
At approximately 5:20 a.m., officers with the Sarasota Police Department contacted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the above incident fit the criteria for a state wide Amber Alert. Once photos were sent to FDLE, an Amber Alert was issued at approximately 7 a.m.
A family member of Aldequndo’s became aware of the Amber Alert through the media and social media and called the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Sarasota Police Department and detectives responded to Manatee County at 1414 24th Street East, Palmetto. Aldequndo and Brianna were located at approximately 9 a.m. and the Amber Alert was cancelled. Currently, the child is in the custody of Department of Children and Family Services.
