
Southern California authorities have issued an Amber Alert for a girl who was taken from her home in Thousand Palms by two women posing as social workers.
Riverside County sheriff's Deputy Herlinda Valenzuela says deputies responded to a child abduction call around 9:45 a.m. Monday.
Valenzuela says two women knocked on the door of the home where 4-year-old Monica Ruby Morales was staying and identified themselves as social workers. They then drove her away in a green minivan.
Valenzuela says it is believed the women are headed to Mexico, where Monica's mother is believed to have been deported about three weeks ago.
Monica has short brown hair and was last seen in a yellow shirt with a white print on the front, blue pants and yellow sandals.
The female suspects were described as being in their 30s, and are about five feet five inches tall with shoulder-length brown hair. One of them weighs approximately 150 pounds and the second suspect is about 170 to 180 pounds. Both are believed to be Hispanic.
Valenzuela said it not immediately clear who had been caring for the child.
The tot, who has short brown hair, was wearing a yellow shirt with a white print on the front and blue and yellow sandals.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Monica Morales should call 911 or the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Palm Desert Station at (760) 836-1644.
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