Intense Manhunt For Redding Mom's Abductors
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – An intense manhunt was underway Monday for two women and their SUV after a Redding mother of two was kidnapped and held for several weeks before being dumped on the side of a Northern California Highway.
Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko said authorities were looking for two Hispanic women armed with a handgun and driving a dark SUV who are wanted in connection with the kidnapping of 34-year-old Sherri Papini.
The Redding mother of two was abducted while jogging on Nov. 2 and was dumped on a the roadside of Highway I-5 on Thanksgiving morning. She was bound and badly beaten.
"Obviously she was emotional and quite upset but elated to be free and so we were able to get some information from her. In the days following this, we'll be following up with her," Bosenko told a Redding newspaper. "We hope that we can get additional information to identify (the suspects), maybe the SUV, and then hopefully they can be found and brought to justice."
Bosenko said the suspect descriptions were based off of "limited information" given to them so far by Papini.
Papini was released Thanksgiving morning about 150 miles south of where she disappeared near Redding. Bosenko said Papini was found bound by restraints near Interstate 5 but was able to flag down a driver after her captors dropped her off, driving a dark SUV.
"It's been three weeks since her disappearance and then to find her, and released by her captors I think is very rare," Bosenko said.
Bosenko said the woman was able to speak with her husband via cellphone before he drove down to meet her. The mother of two was treated for unspecified non-life-threatening injuries and released from a hospital.
Sherri Papini's husband Keith reported her missing after she didn't show up to pick their two children up from day care. Her cellphone and headphones were found near where she was last seen. Family had feared an abduction and described Papini as a "super mom" who would never abandon her children.
Before she was found, Keith Papini said he was "getting very angry and frustrated" and "scared for my wife." He made several emotional pleas in the media for her safe return. Bosenko said the man was "overjoyed" she is now safe.
Police had received more than 400 tips in the case, but Papini's release was not the result of a $100,000 reward that was offered.
Anyone with information can call 530-245-6540 or the Major Crimes Unit 530-245-6135. Tips can also be submitted at mcu@co.shasta.ca.us.
