Woman sentenced for kidnapping 4-year-old daughter, fleeing to Mexico for nearly 2 years

Written by: E. George

Published December 23, 2024 @ 1:55 PM ET

COBB COUNTY, Ga. – A 36-year-old woman pleaded guilty and received a sentence of five years in prison without the possibility of parole and 15 years of probation for kidnapping her juvenile daughter and fleeing the country. Andrea Latrice McCord reportedly abducted her from her child’s father’s residence in April 2021 and fled to Mexico with her boyfriend, Custodio Guerra, where she evaded capture for approximately two years.

The juvenile’s father, James Williams, immediately reported her missing. The report sparked a joint operation involving the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the Smyrna Police Department, and the United States Marshals Service, resulting in the apprehension of McCord and retrieval of the child in Mexico.

McCord possessed no custodial rights regarding her daughter. She chose to represent herself for her trial while the prosecutor was Deputy Chief District Attorney Lindsay Raynor.

Cobb County District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr. stated, “This sentence reflects the seriousness of this crime and its lasting impact on the victim and her family. The safety and well-being of children must always be our top priority, and we are grateful for the tireless efforts of all those involved in bringing justice to this case.”