16-Year-Old Watts Girl Found Safe After Being Missing for Over a Week, Family Spokesperson Confirms
A 16-year-old Watts girl was discovered safe after going missing for more than a week, according to a family spokesperson.
Mayanin Vazquez’s family is “extremely grateful to everyone who helped with the search efforts and spread the word about her disappearance.” “Their love and support have been invaluable during this difficult time,” a spokeswoman told ABC7 early Wednesday. “The family asks for privacy as they focus on healing and spending time together after this ordeal.”
The statement provided no additional information about the discovery of Mayanin.
“We cannot express our gratitude enough for the community’s support in finding Mayanin and bringing her back home,” according to a statement. “We ask for your understanding and respect for our privacy as we reunite and move forward as a family.”
According to a detective with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the adolescent claimed to have been hanging out with buddies. The detective stated that no criminal investigation is being conducted.
Before Mayanin was discovered, her family stated that she was on her way to school with her sisters on August 12 when she stopped at a Smart & Final near Laurel and East 97 streets in Watts.
However, Mayanin never made it to school, and her family had no idea where she went. The adolescent was last seen on video walking outside the business with a man her family did not know.
“I don’t know if it’s a friendly person or an enemy,” the girl’s father, Samuel Maldonado, said at the time. “That is the last person we need to find to answer certain questions. It appears strange to me. I do not identify the individual, which immediately raises red flags for me.”
Mayanin’s family stated that they immediately reported her missing. They characterized the adolescent as a good student and athlete who competed in cross-country and track events.
They told ABC7 that there was no reason to suspect she ran away and that she did not have a boyfriend. Her family also stated that she left her phone at home.