KC legislator Manny Abarca served restraining order before going missing with son
Jackson County Legislator Manuel “Manny” Abarca IV was served late Friday afternoon with a protection order that his wife sought through circuit court earlier in the day, court documents show.
An “adult abuse hearing” is set for next Monday morning before Judge Mary F. Weir in a courtroom five floors above the legislative chamber where later that afternoon Abarca is set to cast votes on county matters as a member of the county’s chief governing body.
According to the case docket, Abarca was instructed to stay away from his spouse and make no attempt to communicate with her. The docket also said his wife was awarded custody of their child.
However, as of Tuesday evening, Abarca’s wife, Alexis Garcia, said she had not seen their son, 2-year-old Manuel Abarca V — known as Luca — since the previous Wednesday.
“At this time I still don’t have my son,” she said in a Facebook post. “I would like to say thank you to everyone for your continued support during this overwhelming and difficult time. My top priority at this time continues to be locating and getting Luca back.”
Abarca and the boy remained listed as missing persons on the Kansas Bureau of Investigation website as of Tuesday night.
Court records show Abarca was served with the protection order at 4:57 p.m. Friday, but the docket does not say where he was served or in what manner. A missing person report for him and his son was filed on Sunday.
Garcia, who describes herself as the “primary caregiver” for Luca and the couple’s daughter, reported Abarca and Luca missing with Shawnee police.
Garcia wrote on social media Sunday that she had not seen Manny or Luca since last week and that Luca did not have access to medication.
Abarca released a statement early Monday morning indicating that he and Luca were safe, and he attended Monday afternoon’s meeting of the Jackson County legislature via video conference.
In a text message to a reporter on late Monday afternoon, Garcia said “I am desperate for my son” and did not know her husband’s location.
The Shawnee Police Department continued to investigate Manny and Luca’s whereabouts Monday “out of an abundance of caution,” department spokesperson Emily Rittman said Monday evening. Police had not made contact with either Manny or Luca in person by that time, Rittman said.
Rittman said Tuesday that though Shawnee police officers spoke to Manny over the phone, the department will continue to investigate Manny and Luca’s departure until officers can make contact with them in person. Shawnee police responded to a domestic disturbance at the home of Abarca’s father on Thursday afternoon.
“The missing persons investigation will remain ongoing until we can independently confirm their safety and well-being,” Rittman said.
Abarca is serving his first term representing the 1st District in the Jackson County Legislature. Previously he served on the board of education for Kansas City Public Schools and was a long-time aide to U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver.
This story was originally published June 3, 2025 at 10:09 AM.
