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Team coverageThere's still no sign of three children from West Valley City believed to have been taken by their father, Israel Hernandez. An Amber Alert is still in effect for them.
A relative says the children's father has been taking them on short visits for a while without any problems. But that wasn't the case this weekend, and his past has police concerned for the children's safety.
Francisca Hernandez-Saucedo, the children's aunt, did not want to go on camera, but she made an emotional plea. Through an interpreter she said, "I need to ask for your help finding these kids. I'm very worried for them." She said she needs to know where they are and if they're OK.
Missing are 6-year-old Alicia Hernandez, her 4-year-old brother Pablo and 3-year-old Xiomara. Police issued an Amber Alert late last night when their father didn't return them after a visit. Francisca Hernandez-Saucedo said, "I think that he would probably take them to Mexico. I don't think he would keep them here." 
She's been the children's caregiver since their father, Israel Hernandez, lost custody of them several years ago.
West Valley City police Capt. Tom McLachlan said, "Let me just say that the abuse was extreme. I would rather not, you know, get specific about that, but the abuse was extreme enough for the state to take custody away from him."
The court allowed supervised visits, but four months ago his sister began letting Hernandez and his girlfriend, Martha Torres, to take the children on short visits.
Torres is the mother of the youngest child, Xiomara, who's been living with Hernandez-Saucedo since the child was 2 weeks old.
Police say the father was physically abusive, and there's no indication that he's changed his ways. McLachlan said, "We feel that the abuse, if it doesn't immediately start, will eventually start, and these children will be in danger."
Hernandez has not made contact with his sister since picking up the children at her home near 4200 South and 6300 West on Sunday.
"She's tried to call them. She's tried to call the cell phones and there's just no response from them, and that's what's giving us the concern," Lt. Dalan Taylor of the West Valley City Police Department said.
The aunt says the children do understand that they are not supposed to be with him longer than the visitation hours, and that they are to return home after each visit. She believes they are not scared of their father, but they may be of their surroundings, which are far different from what they've ever seen or known.
Alicia Hernandez is 3 feet 6 inches tall, weighs 40 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a red and pink shirt with white shorts and pink shoes. She is the only one of the three who speaks both English and Spanish.
Pablo Hernandez is 3 feet tall and weighs 30 pounds. He has brown eyes and short black hair. He was wearing a blue shirt with white stripes, blue jeans and white shoes.
Xiomara Hernandez-Torres is 3 feet tall with black hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a rose-colored shirt and black pants with white shoes.
Police say Hernandez and Torres could be headed to California or Mexico. They could be in a maroon Chevy Corsica or a black Escalade.
Anyone with information is asked to call West Valley Police Department at 801-840-4000.
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