Authorities in Los Angeles, Phoenix investigate couple who raised abducted child as their own

Ariz. couple probed in abducted Calif. girl case

NORWALK, Calif. — Detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are working with police in Phoenix to investigate a man and a woman who were raising a girl abducted from California seven years ago.

Detective Jerry Saba said Friday he hopes charges will be filed in the case of Amber Nicklas, a 7-year-old girl who was abducted from her foster parents at a Norwalk restaurant in 2003. Authorities say she was abducted by three aunts who were juveniles at the time.

The girl was returned to Los Angeles County on Wednesday after authorities found her in a Phoenix home, apparently well cared for despite being denied formal schooling.

Saba says it was heartbreaking taking Amber from the people she believed were her parents.