Crime & Safety
Missing Orange County Teen Found Safe, Reunited with Family [UPDATE]
A search was underway after the runaway called her dad from Anaheim liquor store, said she was "threatened" and hung up, police said.
ORANGE COUNTY, CA – UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 8 p.m.
A runaway 16-year-old who had last been seen Tuesday in Anaheim has been located and reunited with her family, police said tonight.
Esli Samaria Vasquez ran away from a group home on Feb. 14, according to Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.
Find out what's happening in Fountain Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The girl had since been in touch with her father to let him know she was OK. She called him from Anaheim on Tuesday and said she couldn't come home because she was being "threatened" by someone, Bertagna said.
The teen hung up before her father could discuss it with her further, he said.
Find out what's happening in Fountain Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
An employee at the liquor store where the girl made the call said he saw her arguing with a male outside the store at 1845 W. Katella Ave., Bertagna said. The two were last seen walking south from Sami's Liquor, he said.
Police announced about 7:10 p.m. that she had been "located and returned to family safe and sound."
No other details were immediately available.
----------------------------
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 12:37 p.m.
Santa Ana police today are asking for the public's help in finding a runaway teen who may be in danger.
Esli Samaria Vasquez, 16, ran away from a group home on Feb. 14, according to Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.
The girl had since been in touch with her father to let him know she was OK.
But on Tuesday afternoon, she called her dad from Anaheim and said she couldn't come home because she was being "threatened" by someone, Bertagna said. The teen hung up before her father could discuss it with her further, he said.
An employee at the liquor store where the girl made the call said he saw her arguing with a male outside the store at 1845 W. Katella Ave., Bertagna said. The two were last seen walking south from Sami's Liquor, he said.
Bertagna said the teen, who has run away from home several times in the past, is 5-foot-4 and weighs about 135 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone knowing her whereabouts was asked to call police at (714) 245-8701.
- ALSO SEE: Recognize This Suspected Gun Thief?
--City News Service/Image via SAPD
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.