Amber Alert Issued for Two Billings Adults Who Fled with Two Children

An Amber Alert has been issued for two girls, ages 2 and four months, who were taken Monday from the Center for Children and Families.

Billings police were called to 3021 Third Ave. N. Monday afternoon to investigate a parent who had fled with her noncustodial children. Officers learned that Maria Sandoval, 33, of Billings had gone to the center for a scheduled visit with her daughters, Gabriella and Abbigail Stratton.

When the on-staff person left the room, Sandoval took the children and fled the building.

Sandoval is described as 5 feet, 7 inches; 190 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

The state of Montana has custody of the children and Sandoval is not to be with them unsupervised.

The biological father, Donald Stratton, 34, also of Billings may also be involved in abducting the children, according to Lt. Casey Hafner. Stratton is described as 6 feet, 170 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes

The duo was initially reported to be driving a 1997 Gold/Silver Kia with Montana license plate BNB297. Police suspected they vehicle may be headed to Great Falls.

Later Monday, police reported the 1997 gold-silver Kia has been located at Zimmerman Park. It appears that the children have been transferred to a different vehicle, possible a 1994 blue and gray GMC Suburban with Montana license plate No. 3C9021H.

Currently, police have not released photographs of the children.

As of 4:22 p.m. Monday Cascade County deputies had located and detained Maria Sandoval in Vaughn. The children and Stratton have not been located as of this time.