A Colorado couple who disappeared last week with a 2-year-old — while leaving a 5-year-old daughter behind — was located Friday in California, where they were trying to cross the border into Mexico, the Denver Post reported.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Liu Nei Li, 40; Zaiqiao Feng, 48; and 2-year-old Anny Li of Thornton had not been seen since Monday. Family members found the older child at about 9:30 p.m. Monday, warndering alone in the front yard of the family’s home.
The girl, who was home alone by herself for most of Monday, told family members that her parents said they had to go to the grocery store and left without her. She’s now in the care of relatives.
Thornton police said the parents were being held in San Diego pending extradition to Colorado on child abuse and drug charges. The toddler with them is safe and in protective custody, police said.
After discovering the pair missing, authorities executed a search warrant of the residence and on Wednesday, found an “illegal marijuana grow” inside their home. Neighbors said law enforcement officials were seen carrying out numerous plants.
According to neighbors, the family left “in a hurry” and threw a duffel bag into their vehicle, leaving the 5-year-old behind.
“We were just lucky a relative lived in the area and saw the girl in the yard and took her in to safety. If she would have remained in the home overnight or for days without anyone finding her – it’s concerning,” Thornton Police Department Officer Matt Barnes said.
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[Feature Photo: Liu Nei Li, Zaiqiao Feng, & Anny Li/Thornton PD]
