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Ashland police search for mother, kids By JIM DAVIS ASHLAND -- Police were searching for two boys and their mother Thursday after she allegedly picked them up illegally at an elementary school. Rhonda Quintero, 31, of Medford, is wanted on felony warrants of probation violation and first-degree criminal mistreatment, said Ashland Capt. Mike DeCapua. Her sons, 9-year-old Cruz Padilla and 8-year-old Leonardo Partida Jr., are wards of the state and live with a foster-care family near Ashland. They are believed to have headed to Grants Pass, DeCapua said. "We have reason to believe in talking with some transportation people in the area that she has bought (Greyhound) bus tickets for her and the two boys," DeCapua said. Both boys attend Bellview Elementary School at 1070 Tolman Creek Road. Shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday, one of the boys was on the playground and the other boy was in a classroom at the school, DeCapua said. A woman -- who was described as being short, with a medium-to-heavy build -- approached the boy on the playground and told the boy to get his brother from the classroom, which he did. They were then seen with the woman a short time later at Rogue Valley Transit District bus stop near the school. Police believe the woman on the school grounds was the natural mother. DeCapua did not know why the boy was able to get his brother out of the classroom or if the teacher objected. "That's going to be part of the investigation -- to understand what the procedures of the school are," DeCapua said. Cruz Padilla is described as being about 4-feet-5 inches tall and weighing about 65 pounds. He was last seen wearing a red shirt, blue shorts and black tennis shoes. His brother, Leonardo Partida Jr., is described as being slightly taller and heavier. He was last seen wearing blue shorts, a dark T-shirt and white tennis shoes. There was no description on the mother; she lives at 2024 Kings Highway in Medford. Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact the Ashland Police Department at 482-5211. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA