TEMECULA: Search ends for man in shooting, abduction
Father allegedly shoots mother, flees with 5-year-old girl
By JOHN HUNNEMAN - Staff Writer - And wire reports | ∞
Authorities provided this shot of Jose De Jesus Cardona Alcala taken in 2000. 
Five-year-old Kaylee Cardona in a school photo taken this year. TEMECULA ---- A man suspected of abducting his 5-year-old daughter and shooting her mother Saturday in her Temecula home was later arrested in Central California, after the girl was found safe, authorities said.
Almost 12 hours after the little girl was taken from her mother's home, authorities found Kaylee Jocelyn Cardona about 4 p.m. Saturday at a relative's house in Kern County, said Temecula police Lt. Scot Collins.
Kaylee did not appear to be injured, Collins said. However, he added, her mother remains in critical condition.
The suspected shooter was identified as Jose De Jesus Cardona Alcala, 37.
A short time after recovering the child, Alcala was spotted by Kern County deputies at a nearby restaurant, said Riverside County sheriff's Investigator Matt Diaz.
"Deputies had his picture and were searching the nearby area," Diaz said. "They spotted him in a restaurant and took him into custody without incident."
Riverside sheriff's detectives were on their way to Kern County Saturday to bring Alcala back to Riverside County to face charges, Diaz said.
The girl was in the care of Kern County deputies in Rosamond. It was unclear when she might be reunited with her wounded mother.
The search for Acala and Kaylee began early Saturday.
Officers were called about 4:30 a.m. to a home on Corte Cabrera in the Paloma Del Sol neighborhood, where they found Martha De Ochoa, 43, suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso, Collins said.
De Ochoa was taken to an area hospital where she underwent surgery, Collins said.
After the shooting, authorities said, Alcala fled with Kaylee, the couple's daughter.
Investigators probing for a motive for the shooting and the abduction said there do not appear to be child custody issues between the biological parents.
"But there do appear to be relationship issues between the man and the woman," Collins said.
The California Department of Justice, at the request of Temecula police, issued an Amber Alert for Kaylee Cardona, which was cancelled once she was found.
Authorities had said that they believed Alcala was armed and dangerous and that he had headed toward Mexico with the girl after the shooting.
Contact staff writer John Hunneman at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2603, or hunneman@californian.com.
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esteban wrote on Aug 23, 2008 8:52 PM:Thank God the girl was found unharmed.
Hmm wrote on Aug 23, 2008 9:26 PM:Guess you won't the Safest City list again this year. Murrieta will be way ahead AGAIN.
Jim wrote on Aug 24, 2008 1:26 AM:Temecula Police: Great job! The men and women of your station always come through and make Temecula the safest and finest city around. Thank you!
Outstanding Results wrote on Aug 24, 2008 7:39 AM:Great Job Riverside Sheriff / Temecula PD! The child was found and the suspect is in custody! Temecula residents are in good hands!
Murrieta Mom wrote on Aug 24, 2008 9:51 AM:Another warm and fuzzy human interest story supplied by the productive citizens of Temecula, what a family value Republican strong hold leading the way with Moral Integrity.
Kelly wrote on Aug 24, 2008 11:03 AM:What is up with the Murrieta folks being bitter towards Temecula? Not so neighborly. Glad to hear the girl was found safe and I hope her mother is okay. She is just adorable.
to hmm wrote on Aug 24, 2008 2:32 PM:I guess you have never had to deal with the Murrieta Pd .It is hard to get them to do anything .MOST OF OUR CRIME THEY LET GO AND DONT WANT TO BE BOTHERED WITH
Tem wrote on Aug 24, 2008 3:18 PM:Murrieta Mom and other liberals like her are the reason this state is in trouble. Murrieta will allways be Temecula's bastard step child.
Cal wrote on Aug 24, 2008 3:54 PM:Mom, I see few republicans in Temecula. I only see people who do not care about anything but themselves, let alone their city. I went to buy a home in Temecula and found endless 3rd world mini-ghettos - the little secret of Temecula. Demographics show a Temecula completely different then peoples perception. Temecula is a haven, a field day, a meal ticket for the hordes of invaders who give nothing and take everything.
Beth wrote on Aug 24, 2008 4:11 PM:Sheesh Tem, they have screwed the whole enchilada or Country.
And the mean spiritedness takes the cake
Frank wrote on Aug 24, 2008 6:53 PM:I'm afraid you cannot use the words 'Republican' and 'Moral integrity' in the same sentence anymore.
Lilly wrote on Aug 24, 2008 8:47 PM:Glad the [suspect] got caught and the little girl is safe. and...we can do without the hateful comments
To CAL wrote on Aug 24, 2008 9:08 PM:You are RIGHT ON. I am visiting back here in the Chicagoland Area, and cannot believe how polite people are here and helpful. A stark contrast to the self serving, me first, too bad for you attitude in Temecula. Gone a few days and there is already a major tragedy like this. Yeah, that rental sign in my front yard is beginning to be a good idea. Glad the little girl is ok. Ciao'
ModernRock wrote on Aug 25, 2008 1:34 PM:Great job TPD! This is what you should be doing instead of all those DUI checkpoints. Real police work. Now how about that!
heidy wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:05 AM:you people are unbelievable!
There is a 5 year old with her mother in critical condition and all you can do is comment on Murrieta vs Temecula?
Get over yourselves and focus on this tragedy and the everlasting effect it will have on this child...
Shannon wrote on Aug 31, 2008 7:12 PM:Thank you Heidy! It is nice to know that there are other people in our community that are more concerned with the tragedy. Shame on you jealous, ignorant self absorbed people. I am glad the little girl is safe and I hope this memory fades for her.
Grow up people!! Oh and get a life!!!
Dawn wrote on Sep 8, 2008 4:14 PM:I am so glad that the little girl was found safe and I hope that her Mother gets well soon. As for the little "boys and girls" that feel the need to use this tragedy to make dumb comments about who's town is better or safer, really do need to grow up! It makes me feel like I am back in Middle School!
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