• An American lady kidnapped in Mexico eight months in the past was simply launched by her captors.
• Monica De Leon Barba was strolling her canine final November when a number of males compelled her right into a automobile.
• Her canine was later discovered and returned to family members, and De Leon Barba might be reunited with it, the FBI mentioned.

An American lady was launched by her captors eight months after they kidnapped her off of a road in Mexico whereas she walked her canine, the FBI mentioned in a statement Saturday.

Monica De Leon Barba was strolling dwelling from work along with her canine in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Mexico, on November 29 final yr when three automobiles approached her, and a number of other males compelled her right into a grey Volkswagen Jetta, in keeping with footage launched by the FBI.

De Leon Barba’s canine was left strolling free on the street after the kidnapping. The FBI mentioned in a press release in April that the canine “was later safely situated and recovered by a member of the family.”

On the time, the FBI had supplied a $40,000 reward for data that would result in De Leon Barba’s rescue.

It’s unclear why De Leon Barba’s captors launched her, and the FBI mentioned they proceed engaged on the case. A minimum of 5 suspects had been concerned, they mentioned.

The FBI says that Monica de Leon Barba was kidnapped in Mexico in November 2022.

Screenshot/FBI

The FBI mentioned they haven’t made any arrests in De Leon Barba’s kidnapping, and an investigation into her captors’ identities “stays ongoing.” 

The FBI mentioned De Leon Barba is “en path to america, the place she might be reunited along with her household and canine after spending eight months in captivity.” They made no point out of the cat within the {photograph}.

A number of kidnappings involving Individuals in Mexico have made headlines this yr. In March, a gaggle was kidnapped whereas touring to Matamoros in order that one in all them may endure beauty surgical procedure. Two group members had been killed, and the opposite two had been rescued.

In one other case, the FBI supplied $20,000 for data resulting in the return of a 63-year-old American lady kidnapped from her dwelling in Mexico.