Tatianna Bijou CUEVAS (2018) - Brampton, ON
By S.M.Published July 29, 2020 
Tatianna Bijou CUEVAS
Missing since July 29, 2018Brampton, Ontario, CanadaAge at disappearance: 5Tatianna Bijou Cuevas
Missing since July 29, 2018 from Brampton, Ontario, Canada Age at disappearance: 5 | Age today: 7Date of birth: Aug. 18, 2012Classification: Non-custodial parental abductionShare this story and your own, and photos of Tatianna on any platform using the hashtag #HelpFindTatianna
Please consider donating to the GoFundMe for Tatianna’s mother to hire a private investigator, and share the link wherever you can.
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** Multi-lingual posters for Tatianna have been added to this story (08/03/20). Contact your local authorities with any tips.
“I know the issue isn’t just with Tatianna’s father, but with barriers for visibility. ”
Tatianna Bijou Cuevas was supposed to come home.
Two years ago today, she was five years old and living with her mother, Kristen Allen, in Brampton, Ontario.
Two years ago today, Tatianna’s non-custodial father, then-39-year-old John Varga (Cuevas), took her to the airport for a two week vacation. They flew out of Toronto, bound for Germany and France, on July 29, 2018.
The detailed itinerary of their trip had been provided by John in advance. He was legally obligated to inform Tatianna’s mother, Kristen, about his plan. Kristen had been awarded full custody of Tatianna in August of 2017.
These multi-lingual posters were created to be shared on social media to overcome potential language barriers.
Despite John’s history of verbal and emotional abuse toward Kristen throughout their relationship, and a contentious custody battle for Tatianna – and despite his history of withholding Tatianna, requiring emergency orders to get her back – he was still legally allowed to remove Tatianna from the country, if he provided an itinerary, and if Kristen signed a consent.
She did so reluctantly, with the understanding that John would return to Canada with Tatianna on August 12, 2018.
The plan had been a lie. They never came home. “Against my better judgment, I allowed him to take her and he did not return,” she told CTV News in 2019. Kristen has been searching for her daughter ever since.
Tatianna was reported missing to Peel Regional Police on August 14, 2018.
On August 21, 2018 – three days after Tatianna’s sixth birthday – a Canada-wide warrant was issued for the arrest of John Varga Cuevas in contravention of a court order.
Tatianna and John have been seen in Paris, France, as well as Budapest, Hungary, Dubai, and Nigeria. The most recent sighting of Tatianna and John, who uses the name “Juan” and “Carlos,” was in Togo, West Africa, on August 4, 2018.
Click on a photo to expandTatianna’s mom said that John calls Tatianna “Bibi” or “Bijou,” and assumes that’s how he introduces her. Since the sighting nearly two years ago in Togo, there have been little to no leads, and no financial trail to provide any indication of where Tatianna might be. Peel Regional Police, RCMP, and Interpol, along with Global Affairs Canada and several charitable children’s organizations, have worked tirelessly to find Tatianna and bring her home.
Nobody has worked harder to gain visibility for Tatianna and bring her home than her mother, Kristen.
“I know the issue isn’t just with Tatianna’s father,” she told me, “but with barriers to visibility.”
“I ask that this be shared to raise awareness: For those who have been in an abusive relationship. For those who have been abducted by a parent in a tumultuous relationship. And for those left behind, picking up the pieces of their life. I believe that someone knows where my daughter is, and she will be found. I continue to have hope. Thank you.”
The Issue of Visibility
Today, on the two-year anniversary of Tatianna’s abduction, Kristen is asking for help spreading awareness. She’s looking for numerous voices to share Tatianna’s story and links, to reach a global audience. Her idea is simple, but effective: use any creative medium - videos, photos, blogs, social media - and #HelpFindTatianna
“I'm asking the community and beyond to use their personal and professional platforms to say a few words to raise awareness or a post, and sharing the links, on July 29th, using the hashtag #HelpFindTatianna,” she said in a Facebook post.
“I really want everyone to add their individuality to the same cause. If you could assist in any way to help me find my daughter and bring her back home to Brampton, Ontario I would be extremely humbled.”
On July 14, 2020, Kristen reached out to Premier Doug Ford for help with Tatianna’s abduction. The response was that the Ministry of the Solicitor General has no direct authority to direct police in their day-to-day operations, and “does not have a mandate to investigate any situation or to direct an investigation by an outside agency.” They recommended she contact her local authorities, or the Law Society Referral Service.
Kristen had only asked for help in getting Tatianna’s story increased visibility. How else can it reach people who might have seen them, or might know where they are? When a child goes missing, everyone is involved. No person or entity should ignore a plea for help, and the reality of a missing child should yield the power to transcend government barriers.
It’s one of many significant hurdles faced by families of missing children.
While media attention has been “fruitful,” said Kristen, it has been slow coming. She said that she knows the impact would be strong if media attention was purposeful, strong, and far-reaching. She says that she’s sure it would lead to answers.
In a video Kristen posted to the Facebook page Tatianna Cuevas (@tatiannabcuevas), on New Year’s Eve in 2018, she said she wants to spread awareness and encourage anyone who might know anything at all to contact their local authorities. “They’ll know what to do,” she said. She also said that videos are her way of communicating with Tatianna.
If there’s even the slightest chance that someone shares her story or her video, or talks about it, then Tatianna might see it. If she hears her mom’s voice, Kristen hopes that she’ll know that she’s still with her mom even though they’re not together.
Kristen said at the time that making videos had provided her a positive communication outlet. She said she’s reached low points, and has struggled expressing herself, but feels focused and motivated. They help her keep track of what’s happening in the case.
“There is no amount of time that could pass that would make you being gone easier or acceptable to anyone. Your disappearance has left family, friends and members of the community with sorrow, and the only remedy is to have you returned. There may be distance between us, but the love we’re connected by will never fade”
TIMELINE
July 29, 2018: Tatianna Bijou Cuevas leaves Toronto, Ontario, with her father John/Juan “Carlos” Varga Cuevas, for a planned two week vacation to France and Germany.
July 29 to August 4: Tatianna and John are spotted in the following locations:
Paris, France
Budapest, Hungary
Dubai
Nigeria
August 4, 2018
August 4, 2018: Tatianna and John are seen on video surveillance at the airport in Togo, West Africa. This is the last reported sighting of the two.
August 12, 2018: Tatianna and John are expected to return home to Toronto, but don’t arrive at the airport as planned.
August 14, 2018: Kristen Allen, Tatianna’s mom, contacts Peel Regional Police to report Tatianna’s abduction.
August 18, 2018: Tatianna turns six years old.
August 21, 2018: A Canada-wide warrant is issued for John Varga Cuevas for the criminal charge of contravention of a court order. He is wanted by local and national police. There is also a warrant for his arrest with Interpol, as well as an Interpol alert for Tatianna Cuevas.
There have been little to no leads since, and no financial trail to indicate their whereabouts.
Last seen August 4, 2018 at the airport in Togo:
International Child Abductions in Canada
“In 2018, 20 cases of child international abductions from Canada were opened in relation to Africa and the Middle East, 19 in the Americas, 10 in Europe, nine in Asia and Oceania, and six in the U.S.”The Public Prosecution Service of Canada defines a parental child abduction as when one parent, without either legal authority or the permission of the other parent, takes a child from the parent who has lawful custody. There may be both international and domestic aspects to child abduction, and although children may not be in physical danger, their lives are nevertheless greatly disrupted.
WANTED: John/Juan "Carlos" Varga Cuevas:
Click on a photo to expandThe most recent published data by the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Persons (NCMPUR) indicates that parental abduction is relatively uncommon; in 2019, there were 50 cases of child abductions classified as “Parental Abduction without Custody Order.” In 2018, when Tatianna was abducted, there were a total of 55 cases of missing children classified as “Parental Abduction without Custody Order.” Of those, 39 reports were female, and 26 were male; 12 were in Ontario. The numbers pale compared to the thousands of reported runaways, but according to MissingKids.ca, the most common form of child abduction in Canada is by a parent or guardian.
According to CTV News, in September 2019, Global Affairs Canada said it was managing over 250 cases involving international child abductions. In an ATIP request from CTVNews.ca, Global Affairs released new information regarding locations where new cases of international child abductions have been opened:
“In 2018, 20 cases of child international abductions from Canada were opened in relation to Africa and the Middle East, 19 in the Americas, 10 in Europe, nine in Asia and Oceania, and six in the U.S.
From January to May 2019, the most new cases were opened in Asian and Oceania with 13, followed by the Americas with eight, Africa and the Middle East with six, and Europe and the U.S. with four each, respectively.”
International child abductions are also among the lengthiest and complex situations for investigators and the Government of Canada, and extremely difficult and damaging for the children and their families. Among the many challenges is that not all countries regard parental child abduction as a criminal act. Police or prosecutors decide whether to lay charges after a searching parent files a complaint, but they may decide not to lay charges. If a parent does decide to lay criminal charges, it could harm the parent’s effort to get their child back.
The process is long and uncertain, and while each international child abduction is unique, many cases share similarities. And for searching parents, like Kristen, one of the hardest barriers to overcome is one that should be simple: getting their child’s photo and information to as many people as possible. Someone, somewhere, can help.
Despite the devastating impact of non-custodial parental abductions, stories like Tatianna and Kristen’s rarely receive the media attention they deserve. When an investigation is exhausted, or the leads are few and far between, sometimes the most effective resource is that of public awareness and involvement.
PLEASE SHARE THIS STORY, YOUR OWN, AND ANY PHOTOS OF TATIANNA CUEVAS USING THE HASHTAG #HelpFindTatianna
Description of Tatianna Bijou Cuevas:
Tatianna Cuevas is now seven years old. She will be turning eight on August 18, 2020.
At the time of her disappearance, she was described as Black, four feet tall, 80 pounds, with a thin build, brown shoulder length curly hair and brown eyes. Her mom estimates she would be 45-50 pounds now.
She has a small circular birthmark on her lower left back. 
Description of John Varga Cuevas:
John/Juan “Carlos” Varga Cuevas is described as male, multi-racial, 5’8” tall, 160 pounds, with a light complexion, short black hair, brown eyes and possibly a chinstrap goatee.
He was born June 22, 1979, and is now 41 years old. He uses aliases including John Varga, Dr. John Varga (Optometrist by trade), Carlos Cueva, Carlos Cuevas, John Varga Cuevas, and John Cuevas. He is Kristen’s ex-boyfriend; they were never married.
He calls Tatianna “Bibi” and “Bijou,” and may have introduced her as such. 
SUBMIT A TIP - CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have any information about the whereabouts of TATIANNA CUEVAS and JOHN VARGA CUEVAS, or have seen or interacted with them at any point, please contact any of the following:
MissingKids.ca at:
1-866-KID-TIPS (543-8477)
Peel Regional Police at
905-453-3311
Submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at:
1-800-222-8477 or at peelcrimestoppers.ca
PLEASE SHARE USING THE HASHTAG #HelpFindTatianna
The most recent update shared by Kristen Allen on Facebook (@tatiannabcuevas), on July 16, 2020 (at the time of publication):
Tatianna Cuevas is the correct spelling;
Bijou or Bibi is what her father calls her and what I'm assuming her father has introduced her as;
Tatianna was 40 pounds at the time of abduction, and I'm gauging that she should be in and around 45-50 pounds now - Interpol still has not updated the pound to kilogram error;
Juan/John 'Carlos' Varga Cuevas is Tatianna's father's name age 41 and born in June - however he uses aliases such as: John Varga, Dr. John Varga (Optometrist by trade), Carlos Cueva, Carlos Cuevas, John Varga Cuevas, John Cuevas;
Also, we were never married - he was my ex-boyfriend;
Travel path: Toronto (July 29th, 2018) - Paris, France - Budapest, Hungary, - Dubai - Nigeria - Togo (August 4, 2018 - Also last known sighting);
There is already a Canada wide warrant out for his arrest for parental abduction - His Red Notice is on Interpol but authorities have deemed him not a threat to the public, so it is not visible to civilians;
Tatianna's Yellow Interpol Notice is visible on Interpol.
Thank you EVERYONE, there's been amazing progress and growth of this issue and I couldn't have done this without YOU.
Links shared by Kristen Allen on Facebook:
https://www.interpol.int/How-w…/Notices/View-Yellow-Notices…
https://www.facebook.com/groups/308113969956621/permalink/711931759574838/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/308113969956621/permalink/711941722907175/
For Inquiries, Direct Message via https://www.facebook.com/tatiannabcuevas/
Resources supporting missing children in Canada:
Missing Children Society of Canada
Canadian Centre for Child Protection, which owns and operates MissingKids.ca
International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
Other Links + Stories about Tatianna Cuevas:
YouTube: Help Find Tatianna - From Us To You
Tatianna Cuevas | Missing Children Society of Canada
Tatianna Cuevas | MissingKids.ca
Tatianna Cuevas | Missing Kids Alert
Public Prosecution Service of Canada | Parental Abductions
International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
