California Girl Missing Since 2020 Found Safe in North Carolina
A young girl from California, who was kidnapped in 2020 when she was just five years old, has been found safe in North Carolina, approximately 2,700 miles from her home. The child, identified as Karen Rojas by the organisation Missing Persons in America, was reported missing from Duarte, California, on July 1, 2020. Duarte is located about 20 miles east of Los Angeles.
Investigation and Disappearance
At the time of her disappearance, the Los Angeles County Department of Family Services had an ongoing investigation involving the child. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, authorities stated that the girl's mother, who had custody, ceased communication with DCFS personnel and was believed to have taken the child.
Last Friday, detectives received a tip that the child might be in Washington County, North Carolina, which is about 135 miles from Raleigh and roughly 2,700 miles from Southern California. This information sparked a coordinated effort between multiple agencies.
Discovery and Recovery
An investigation by the Washington County Sheriff's Office revealed that Rojas, now 11 years old, was enrolled at a local school in North Carolina under an alias name. After collaboration between agencies from North Carolina to California, the child was taken into protective custody and confirmed to be safe.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office commented on the rare positive outcome, stating, "These are very rare occurrences to have such a positive outcome on such an old case as this, but it reminds us that through hard work, dedication, and cooperation, stories with positive outcomes like these can happen."
Ongoing Investigations and Privacy
No arrests have been announced in the case thus far. Due to the child's age and the ongoing nature of the investigations, authorities have stated they will not be providing any additional information at this time. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has confirmed it will continue to work with the Department of Family Services and authorities in North Carolina on the investigation.
This case highlights the importance of inter-agency cooperation in resolving long-standing missing persons cases, offering hope to families affected by similar tragedies.
