Annandale, VA — A Northern Virginia mother says she’s finally feeling a sense of safety after the man accused of trying to abduct her 4-year-old daughter was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), following the collapse of two plea deals.
Nearly two years ago, Christy, who asked that her full identity be withheld, was jolted awake by her daughter’s screams in the middle of the night. She found the little girl terrified in their Annandale apartment.
“All I can see is a foot going out my window,” Christy recalled. “I asked her what was wrong, and she said, ‘Big boy, big boy grabbed me.'”
Fairfax County police responded quickly. Investigators recovered a partial palm print and thumbprint, which led to the arrest of Hyrum Baquedano Rodriguez, then 24.
Authorities revealed Baquedano Rodriguez had a criminal history, including convictions for burglary and previous charges involving minors.
In May 2024, prosecutors offered a plea deal: Rodriguez would admit guilt to felony abduction and misdemeanor unlawful entry in exchange for up to two years in prison. A judge rejected the deal, calling the crime “an existential threat to a child’s life” and stating that only a long prison term would protect the community.
Christy agreed with the judge’s decision.
“It’s not enough time,” she said. “Everything he said in his statement made sense.”
A second judge later rejected a revised plea agreement for the same prison term, citing the severity of the crime, Rodriguez’s history involving minors, and concerns for public safety.
After the second rejection, prosecutors dropped both charges — a legal move known as nolle prosequi — citing “serious evidentiary issues” that made a trial unlikely to succeed.
Christy was devastated.
“My heart dropped,” she said after receiving the call. “I said, ‘That means he’ll be released today,’ and she said yes. I said, ‘I’m not happy with that one bit.'”
Natalie, a family friend who serves as the child’s surrogate grandmother, attended the court hearing and suspected Rodriguez might be wanted by immigration authorities. She quickly contacted ICE.
When Baquedano Rodriguez walked out of Fairfax County jail that Friday, ICE agents were waiting. He was taken into custody and served with an order of removal. He remains in ICE detention.
“It was a sigh of relief,” Christy said. “God protected my little girl, but who is going to protect the next one?”
After nearly two years of anxiety, the family finally feels a degree of closure — but the experience has left lasting scars and a broader question about how the system handles violent crimes against children.
