
Above: Keoni Fernandez in 2004

Above: Lance Fernandez in 2004

Above: Mason Fernandez in 2004
Keoni Alexander, Lance Sterling, and Mason Christopher Fernandez
Last seen in San Diego, California on November 8, 2004
Vital statistics: Keoni is a biracial (asian/white) male. He was born on July 5, 2000. Brown hair, brown eyes. His nickname is "Boo". Was four at the time. Lance is a biracial (asian/white) male. He was born on October 10, 2001. Brown hair, brown eyes. He is twin to Mason. His nickname is "Lancie". Was three at the time. Mason is a biracial (asian/white) male. He has brown hair and brown eyes. His nickname is "May May". Was three at the time.
NCIC numbers: M-024492519 (Keoni), M-494480692 (Lance), and M-274493260 (Mason)
Circumstances: The childrens' parents, John Smith and Francina Dacanay Fernandez, never married. A photo and vital statistics for Francina are posted below. Their relationship ended in 2001 and a custody battle over the children commenced. Francina accused Smith of abusing the children, but the allegations were found to be unfounded. In November 2004, she told the father she planned to take the children to New Zealand for two weeks; he told her this would violate the custody agreement. On the above date, a judge ruled that she could not take them out of the country, but she did so. On December 9, 2004, a state warrant was issued for her for kidnapping. On February 4, 2005, a federal warrant was issued for her for international parental kidnapping. They are known to have traveled to the Philippines and are believed to still be there.

Above: Francina Fernandez in 2004
Vital statistics: Asian (Filipino) female. Born on April 29, 1970. Brown hair, brown eyes. Francina may use the name "Francina Dacanay". She was employed as a paralegal in 2004. She has dual American/Philippines citizenship. She speaks English and Tagalog. Was thirty-four at the time.
If you have any information as to the Fernandez childrens' whereabouts, please contact the San Diego County District Attorney's Office at 619-531-4345. Any information received can be kept confidential.
Information used to compile this casefile came from the following resources:
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
The Charley Project
The Los Angeles Times
California Missing Persons Registry
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Interpol
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