A 10-year-old boy from Wilmer, Texas, who was reported missing on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, is suspected to be in Mexico with family after an alleged abduction by the child’s father.
Ian Aguilar’s disappearance triggered an Amber Alert, initially suggesting that he might be in immediate danger. Ian’s mother, Zuleika Lopez-Arzate, 48, was found dead in their family home, marking a twist in the case.
Ian was last seen around 7:30 am on Oakdale Street in Wilmer, a small town located about 16 miles from Dallas.
The primary suspect in both the abduction of Ian and the murder of Lopez-Arzate is the boy’s father, Juan Aguilar Cano, 38.
Aguilar Cano is described as being 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing around 160 lbs., and recognizable by his gauged ears. He was last seen in Wilmer, driving a tan 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe. The vehicle has been located by law enforcement, though the whereabouts of both Ian and his father remain unknown.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children issued a missing person poster shortly after his disappearance. The Wilmer Police Department and other law enforcement agencies are actively involved in the search and investigation.
According to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, the investigation into Lopez-Arzate’s death is ongoing. Her body was discovered by her daughter, Zuri Lopez, who alerted authorities. As per sources within the Wilmer Police Department, there were no prior reports of domestic violence at the family home, where Lopez-Arzate was found and from where Ian is believed to have been abducted. However, the daughter, Zuri Lopez, reportedly informed authorities that there was a toxic relationship between the couple.
Adding to the urgency of the situation, Ian is reported to have autism and requires medication.
The suspect, Juan Aguilar Cano, has ties to Mexico, and the location where his vehicle was found, near a bus company in Houston that charters rides to Mexico, suggests he might have headed in that direction. Local authorities have reason to believe that the young boy is most likely with family in Mexico.
