MARK CANTU and BRYANT YBERRA - 6 and 9 yo - Houston TX

Two young boys who were the focus of an Amber Alert are now safe. But the mother who was with them is now expected to face charges in the case.
The mother and the boys went missing Friday night in north Harris County. The Amber Alert was issued after the woman's husband received a scary text message from her. However, investigators believe this wasn't a kidnapping at all. Brenda Perez, her 6-year-old son, Mark Anthony Cantu, and her 9-year-old brother, Bryant Yberra, all lived at the home of Perez's husband. On Friday, they disappeared. "She hasn't called nobody; the phone is off," said Perez's husband. He told Harris County detectives he received a text from his wife on Saturday that claimed she and the boys had been kidnapped and were being held for ransom. Just after 6pm, we spoke to him and things had changed. "I think they found her already," he told us. Perez, 25, was found in Bastrop along with the boys. They were traced there by her cell phone and they were found investigators say with a man who had picked the three up on Friday outside their home. Neighbors say they'd seen Perez and the boys getting into a truck that drove away. The house is empty Saturday night as Perez's husband left early in the evening. Neighbors are still wondering about all the excitement in an otherwise quiet neighborhood. It's drama they say that no one needs. "Yes it is, yes it is. Like I said, I'm just glad that they're OK," said neighbor Joyce Baker. The boys are in CPS custody in Bastrop. Perez is in custody and will be brought back to Houston. According to detectives, Perez is facing a charge of filing a false report by sending the kidnapping text.

Woman Whose Kidnapping Message Triggered Amber Alert Taken Into Custody For Filing False Report

Sun, Nov 14, 2010

The woman whose alleged kidnapping triggered an Amber Alert for the two young boys with her is now facing criminal charges after authorities determined she had not been abducted.
FACING CHARGES – Brenda Perez, center, is facing criminal charges after authorities determined she falsely reported the she, Mark Cantu, 6, and Bryant Ybarra, 9, had been kidnapped and were being held for ransom. Perez and the boys were found in Bastrop.

The Amber Alert was issued just after noon on Saturday for Mark Cantu, 6, and Bryant Ybarra, 9, both of whom were last seen Friday evening with 25-year-old Brenda Perez.

Perez is the mother of the six-year-old and the sister of the nine-year-old.

Perez’ husband received a text message from the woman’s cell phone Saturday morning saying she and the boys had been kidnapped and were being held for ransom.

Shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office cancelled the Amber Alert after all three were found in Bastrop, reportedly with a man who had picked them up at their home on Friday. Authorities said Perez left with the man, whom they have not identified, voluntarily.

Perez was taken into custody in Bastrop on charges of filing a false report for sending the kidnapping text. The boys were turned over to Child Protective Services.

Perez is expected to be returned to Harris County to face the criminal charges.