“This was an urgent, time sensitive search that involved many agencies who, through their dedication, knowledge and training located, rescued and reunited the child with his father.  We thank all the first responders and search volunteers for a job well-done.”

–CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

NEVADA COUNTY – On June 8, 2024 the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office announced that a three-year-old boy is now safe and with his father following an urgent search for him and widespread concern for his safety.  The boy was reported to be with Siera Marie Salitrero, 30, who is accused of assaulting someone and taking the child toward the South Yuba River.  It was reported that Salitrero made self-harm statements towards herself.

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office utilized 13 deputies and 43 search and rescue volunteers to look for Salitrero and the child, as well as valued assistance from allied agencies.

Late in the evening, deputies and Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers heard cries for help and located Salitrero and the child alive down a steep river canyon. CalOES was able to confirm the child and suspect’s location with its FIRIS airplane. CHP responded with their helicopter and located both the subject and child by aerial observation. The child was safely air-lifted out of the river canyon with no injuries and Salitrero was assisted out of the river canyon by ropes. She too was physically OK.

Salitrero was arrested for the following charges: felony domestic violence PC 273.5, parental child abduction PC 278, and child endangerment PC 273a(a).

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office thanked those who followed the time-sensitive incident on social media, and thanked them for helping to spread the word and staying vigilant of their surroundings.

The Sheriff’s Office also expressed gratitude to the following organizations for their dedication and swift assistance is rescuing the child and suspect:

Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue: 43 volunteers

Nevada County Sheriff’s Office: more than 15 sworn

California State Parks personnel and K-9

Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital

Cal OES Fire Integrated Real-time Intelligence System Intel12

California Highway Patrol Air 21 and H20

United States Forest Service

Grass Valley Police Department K-9

Nevada City Police Department K-9

Nevada County Consolidated

North San Juan Fire

Camp Diamond Arrow