Family of Girl Abandoned in Valley Sought

Authorities are searching for the family of a 12-year-old Mexican girl who was dropped off alone in the San Fernando Valley three weeks ago and was later kidnapped and raped.

The girl told authorities that she and her mother were smuggled by coyotes into California from Mexico and were separated at the border.

Once in the Los Angeles area, the girl said the coyote didn’t know what to do with her and dropped her off in front of a fast-food restaurant in the Valley, police said.

While staying in the area and sleeping behind businesses near Roscoe Boulevard and Noble Avenue in Panorama City, the girl told authorities that she was kidnapped, blindfolded and raped by two men.

After noticing the girl loiter for about three weeks, a woman took her into her home last week and contacted the Los Angeles County Department of Child and Family Services, authorities said. County officials contacted police early Tuesday. They were set to interview the girl today.

Police said they are trying to locate the child’s parents and the men the girl said raped her. Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Devonshire Division and the Robbery/Homicide/Rape Special Section are investigating.

“Our main concern is the well-being of the child,” said Det. Jesse Alvarado, supervising detective on the case. “[Then] our focus will be on investigating the case and locating the parents.”

Anita Bock, director of the county’s family services department, said that in cases involving Mexican children, authorities work closely with the Mexican Consulate and Mexican child welfare centers to find the child’s family.

Bock declined to speak specifically about the girl’s case but said children generally stay in a foster home or shelter while authorities search for their parents.

A Juvenile Court judge has the final say on where children are placed permanently, she said. They could be returned to their native country or granted immigrant status in the United States.