Search expands for boy kidnapped in Central Valley KIDNAPPING

Four-year-old Juliani Cardenas, kidnapped from his grandmother's arms in the Stanislaus County town of Patterson on Jan. 18, 2011. Four-year-old Juliani Cardenas, kidnapped from his grandmother's arms in the Stanislaus County town of Patterson on Jan. 18, 2011. Photo: Courtesy Of Patterson Police Photo: Courtesy Of Patterson Police Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Search expands for boy kidnapped in Central Valley 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Authorities have expanded the search to all of California for a man suspected of snatching a 4-year-old boy from his grandmother's arms in Stanislaus County and driving off.

Police at first believed that Jose Esteban Rodriguez, 27, was headed for San Jose with the boy, Juliani Cardenas, after the kidnapping in Patterson at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday. But on Wednesday, they said they were looking all over California for the two.

Rodriguez's ex-girlfriend is Juliani's mother, but Rodriguez is not the boy's father, police said.

A statewide Amber Alert was issued after the kidnapper yanked Juliani from the arms of the ex-girlfriend's mother at her home.

The boy is described as Latino, 3 feet 6 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing dark pants and a light blue shirt.

Rodriguez is described as Latino, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a white and black shirt, checkered shorts and a beanie.

He was last seen driving a silver Toyota Corolla with oversize aluminum wheels. The car has a California license plate of 6HBW445.

Rodriguez has a manslaughter conviction and should be considered dangerous, authorities said. Anyone with information should call 911.