Irvine, CA – A suspect has been arrested and her twin children located unharmed in a parental child abduction case. The suspect is identified as Shahrzad Talieh, age 45, of Irvine, and will be booked in Orange County Jail on charges of deprivation of custody of a child. 

The suspect and her estranged husband are in the process of a divorce and share custody of their twin children. There have been no reports or indication of physical abuse by either party.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 10, 2015, Talieh picked up her 8-year-old twins from Portola Springs Elementary School on a day that she did not have custody. At some point prior to picking up the children, the suspect is believed to have removed their passports from her estranged husband’s home.

The parental child abduction was reported to the Irvine Police Department (IPD) by the children’s father. Family and friends of Talieh reported that they had not had contact with her, and were concerned for the safety of the children based on Talieh’s deteriorating mental health and possible substance abuse.

IPD detectives learned on Dec. 11, 2015, that the suspect had unsuccessfully attempted to purchase airline tickets out of Los Angeles International Airport to Copenhagen.  The suspect’s parked vehicle was located in a parking structure at the airport, but it was determined that Talieh and the children had not boarded any flights and were no longer at the airport.

Investigators determined that, after leaving the airport, the suspect went to a friend’s residence in Canoga Park. Early this morning, Dec. 12, 2015, Talieh and the children were located at the home. 

The children are safe and unharmed and have been released to their father.

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IRVINE POLICE DEPARTMENT
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