Woman Arrested for Child Abduction – Public Assistance Needed

Riverside, Ca-  On Tuesday June 22, 2004, Detectives from the Riverside Police Department’s Sexual Assault and Child Abuse (SACA) Unit received information that a suspect wanted for child abduction would be at a specific location within the city. Detectives responding to that information located and arrested Margarita Maria Peterson on an outstanding arrest warrant issued in the state of Maryland for child abduction.

Peterson was wanted in Maryland for abducting her 10 year-old son after a two-hour visit in October of 2003. Peterson had enrolled her son at Longfellow Elementary School in Riverside, but had not been seen since an Americas Most Wanted Broadcast of her case in May of 2004. Peterson is not cooperating with investigators, and has refused to disclose the location of her son. Investigators are concerned for the son as Peterson has indicated he may hurt himself if he finds out she has been arrested. Investigators have learned that Peterson may have been staying in the city of San Bernardino at an undisclosed location.

The Riverside Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in obtaining additional information regarding the location of the missing child. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Ron Whitt at 320-8068. If after normal business hours please contact the Riverside Police Department at (909) 787-7911, or your local law enforcement agency.

Missing Child:

Gray, Rayon 12-19-93 Male Black, 4’07”, 82 Lbs, Black Hair, Brown Eyes