At the end of April, 2024, Deputy Sherriff Caudillo responded to a call regarding possible child custody and abandonment.  Deputy Sheriff Caudillo’s investigation revealed that a mother and her 18 month old child had arrived recently from Venezuela, and that within one day of arriving, the young mother had left the child in the custody of her cousin to take a nanny position she had found by word of mouth.  The family had become concerned when the now absent mother’s communication became infrequent and that said she was “under the protection of the Orlando police” and that “someone would be by to pick up her son.” 

Deputy Sheriff Caudillo sensed that there was more to the story, and where others may have felt their duty was complete by filing the proper report, Deputy Sheriff Caudillo did not rest and continued to pursue the case.  Through his perseverance utilizing contacts and investigative experience, Deputy Sheriff Caudillo was able to discover leads that were then shared with other law enforcement organizations, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Orlando PD and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office human trafficking units.  Confirming Deputy Sheriff Caudillo’s instincts, the mother in jeopardy was finally located in the custody of human trafficker during a Homeland Security raid in Orlando.  But the story was not yet over.  Likely filled with fear of what she had experienced, and further terrified of what could come next, she fled.  Despite this, Deputy Sheriff Caudillo did not give up.  On his personal time, he worked hard to locate her, communicate with her and finally earn her trust, bringing her back to her son.  If it were not for his remarkable integrity, honor and steadfast commitment to duty, this mother and her child may have been lost to the horrific crime of human trafficking.