SALINAS — 6-year-old Richard Martinez is back with his legal guardians after 41-year-old Yvonne Chaboya, his biological mother, returned him to police on Monday, August 8th.
Both mother and child had been on the lam since the previous Tuesday after being seen running from his custodial home on Katherine Avenue in South Salinas.
That Tuesday, Chaboya went to the home on Katherine Avenue. It was not uncommon for her to visit and spend time with the children living there, including her son.
The two of them then took off running from the front yard towards South Main Street. Other adults supervising the children assumed it was just a game the two were playing and thought nothing of it until they did not return.
Chaboya, who had lost parental rights to the child some time ago, brought him to the Police Department claiming they’d been out of town and were not aware police were looking for them.
She also claimed to have no knowledge of any court ordered custody arrangement. After questioning, the child was turned over to his legal custodial guardians.
Police believe young Richard went with his mother willingly and that he was not forced or coerced. Nonetheless, Chaboya currently does not have custodial rights to the child and is not allowed to keep him under her care.
The case has been forwarded to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for review and possible prosecution.
