Wanted Massachusetts couple who left with 5 missing children captured in Texas

A wanted Massachusetts couple has been captured, and 5 missing children have been found, according to police.

The Fitchburg Police Department has announced that Ruth Encarnacion and Isael Rivera have been located and taken into custody in Whitney, Texas. The five children that had been reported missing have also been located and are safely in the custody of the Texas Child Protective Services. 

Fitchburg Police immediately initiated an investigation after receiving a missing person report for Encarnacion on March 3. The Department of Children and Families subsequently reported her five children missing on March 5. Following the DCF report, Massachusetts State Troopers assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office joined the investigation. 

Police obtained warrants for five counts of Custodial Kidnapping of a Minor by a Relative against both Ruth Encarnacion and Isael Rivera.

The Fitchburg Police Department stated that their Bureau of Criminal Investigation worked tirelessly the past several days to bring this ordeal to a successful resolution.

“We would like to thank our many law enforcement partners that assisted, including the Massachusetts State Police, the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, the United States Marshals Service, and the Hill County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office.”

The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families are currently working with authorities in Texas to arrange for all parties to be returned to Massachusetts.