Infant Kidnapped From San Jose Apartment

Authorities are searching for a three-month-old baby taken from a residence on Elm Street.

Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Babies

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a simplified apartment building roofline against a dark sky, representing an ongoing police investigation. — Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are conducting an urgent search for three-month-old Brandon Cuellar after his abduction in San Jose. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

A three-month-old infant named Brandon Cuellar was kidnapped from an apartment in the 1000 block of Elm Street in San Jose. The abduction occurred Monday afternoon while the infant was briefly left unattended.

Why it matters

Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, have launched an urgent search for the child. No Amber Alert has been issued at this time because investigators do not have a description of a getaway vehicle.

The missing infant was last seen wearing a long-sleeved onesie decorated with dinosaurs. He was taken in a black baby carrier with white trim and a white blanket.

The players

Brandon Cuellar

Brandon Cuellar is the three-month-old infant who was kidnapped from his home in San Jose.

Federal Bureau of Investigation

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is a national security organization currently assisting local police in the search for the missing infant.

The details

The suspect entered the residence while the infant's grandmother was downstairs unloading groceries. He retrieved the child from an upstairs bedroom and fled the scene wearing a dark-blue shirt, black pants, grey shoes, and a face mask.

The kidnapping took place at approximately 1 p.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026.

Culture Shift

The reliance on specific trigger criteria like vehicle identification highlights the limitations of public alert systems during fast-moving residential abductions. This case mirrors the ongoing debates regarding how law enforcement can effectively mobilize communities when traditional alert prerequisites are missing.

Residents in the area should remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity involving a man matching the suspect's description to local police. Authorities have requested that anyone with information regarding the child or the suspect contact the department immediately.

The takeaway

Families should prioritize child safety by never leaving infants unattended, even for very brief moments. Parents are encouraged to maintain updated physical descriptions and photographs of their children to assist law enforcement during emergencies.