Child missing nearly six years found safe in North Carolina

WASHINGTON COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A child who had been missing for nearly six years in California has been found safe in North Carolina, according to law enforcement officials.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said the child was originally reported missing July 1, 2020, after the LA County Department of Children and Family Services contacted deputies about a case involving the child in Duarte, California.

Investigators said the child’s mother, who had custody at the time, stopped communicating with child welfare officials during an investigation and was believed to have taken the child.

Detectives received information Friday, March 6, suggesting the child might be in Washington County, North Carolina.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said it was notified by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and child welfare officials and began investigating.

According to the sheriff’s office, officers located the 11-year-old child on Tuesday, March 10 after determining she was enrolled in Washington County Schools under an alias.

Deputies said the child had been living in North Carolina with her mother.

Authorities took the child into protective custody and confirmed she is safe.

Officials described the case as a parental kidnapping investigation.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the child’s mother is not currently in custody. Authorities said they are working with the district attorney’s office and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services to determine next steps and potential charges.

Washington County officials said cases with positive outcomes after such a long time are rare.

“These are very rare occurrences to have such a positive outcome on such an old case,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “But it reminds us that through hard work, dedication and cooperation, stories with positive outcomes like these can happen.”

Authorities said the child’s identity is not being released due to her age and the ongoing investigation.