UPDATE: In a shocking incident on November 4, 2025, federal agents in Cypress Park, Los Angeles drove off with a toddler after detaining her father during an immigration enforcement operation. Witnesses report that armed and masked agents took the action while the 1-year-old girl was strapped in her car seat, igniting protests from bystanders.
The chaotic scene unfolded outside a Home Depot when 32-year-old Dennis Quinonez allegedly exited his vehicle armed with a hammer and threw rocks at federal agents. According to the L.A. Times, agents intercepted Quinonez’s SUV to prevent him from fleeing. As tensions escalated, Quinonez yelled that his daughter was inside the vehicle.
As agents attempted to manage the situation, a crowd began to gather, prompting them to relocate both Quinonez and his daughter. However, the discovery of a loaded handgun wrapped in a blue bandana during the arrest escalated the urgency of the situation. The firearm, reportedly stolen from New York, was found in the SUV, leading to Quinonez being charged with unlawful possession of a firearm due to a previous conviction for domestic violence.
Linda Toczylowski from the Immigrant Defenders Law Center condemned the actions of the federal agents, stating, “It should shock everyone’s conscience that we have masked armed men behaving like that with a U.S. citizen father and a toddler.” The emotional toll on the family was evident, especially when the child was returned to her family members.
Quinonez’s mother, Maria Avalos, described the condition of her granddaughter, saying, “When I picked up my granddaughter from federal agents, she had a dirty diaper, a bruise on her face, and was developing a rash. She was exhausted and cried.” This disturbing account has sparked widespread outrage and demands for accountability regarding federal enforcement operations.
California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his dismay, sharing news of the incident on social media with a simple but powerful comment: “This is sick.”
While Quinonez remains charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, it is unclear if he is still in custody. In addition to his arrest, federal authorities apprehended five other undocumented immigrants at the location, with reports indicating criminal backgrounds that included DUI offenses and prior deportations.
The implications of this incident are profound, raising questions about the methods used by federal agents during immigration raids and the treatment of U.S. citizens and their families. As this story develops, the public and advocacy groups continue to call for reforms and transparency in immigration enforcement.
Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding story and its impact on immigration policy and community safety.
