Dec. 12--An Irvine woman was arrested Saturday on suspicion of abducting her 8-year-old twin children from their father's custody after an unsuccessful attempt to take them out of the country, police said.
Shahrzad Talieh, 45, was apprehended at a friend's home in Canoga Park. The twins -- a boy and a girl -- were unharmed, police said.
Talieh and her husband were in the process of divorce and shared custody of the children. On Thursday, she picked the children up from their elementary school on a non-custodial day, according to a police report.
Prior to picking up the children, she is believed to have removed their passports from the father's home.
Interested in the stories shaping California? Sign up for the free Essential California newsletter >>
After contacting police, "family and friends of Talieh reported that they had not had contact with her and were concerned for the safety of the children based on Talieh's deteriorating mental health and possible substance abuse," the police report said.
On Friday, investigators determined that Talieh had unsuccessfully tried to buy airline tickets out of Los Angeles International Airport to Copenhagen and found her car in an airport parking structure.
They tracked her to the Canoga Park home early Saturday. The children were released to their father.
ALSO
Since shootings, area Muslims fear unfounded suspicions and reprisals
Porter Ranch family files lawsuit over gas leak that has displaced hundreds
K-pop group denied entry at LAX on suspicion of being sex workers, band says
