$10K Reward Offered In Search For Missing Rohnert Park Girl

ROHNERT PARK, CA — As the search for a 15-year-old Rohnert Park girl continues, a family member is offering a $10,000 reward for her safe return and has started a fundraising campaign to hire a private investigator. Veronica Elizabeth Prado was last seen by her parents around 10 p.m. Thursday when she went to bed, according to the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety.

Her parents told police they woke up in the middle of the night early Friday to find her missing from her bedroom, Rohnert Park DPS Sgt. Keith Astley told Patch. The teenager left a note saying she was leaving but that she would be back, Astley said. She also mentioned a boyfriend and told them not to call police, the sergeant said.

Rohnert Park police say they've interviewed her friends and family, but no one knew she had a boyfriend or who he might be.

Veronica is described as a Hispanic girl who is 5 feet 1 inches tall, weighs 116 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing red, white and black Nike Air Jordan athletic shoes and carrying a black Tommy Hilfiger bag.

Veronica is homeschooled and has never run away before, her parents Ruben and Elizabeth Prado told KTVU FOX 2. Her parents said they are afraid she may have been manipulated by someone she met on social media.

"We taught her everything about the dangers of the streets and social media, meeting strangers, she knows all this," Ruben said.

"We have nothing right now, absolutely nothing," he said about the search for the oldest of his three daughters.

"She gave me a hug and said 'I love you, mom, for always being there for me,'" Elizabeth said. "When I woke up the next day she was gone."

The Prados have since learned their daughter may have met someone on the Snapchat dating app, Hoop.

"Maybe she was lured to come out of the house and taken and now whoever has hold of her is in control," Ruben said in the interview with KTVU FOX 2.

Police confirmed they were looking into the dating app, but told Patch Wednesday afternoon that there were no new developments to report.

"We don't know where she is," Astley said.

To Veronica in the event she sees or reads the news coverage, Astley says: "Come home."

"And if she is unable to come home because she is being held hostage or something, then try to get on the phone, try to escape, do something," Astley said.

There has been no activity on Veronica's cell phone since early Friday morning when it pinged behind Walmart in Rohnert Park, KTVU FOX 2 reported. That area was reportedly searched by family and friends.

Veronica's uncle, Santa Rosa resident Nicholas Gutierrez, has since put up a $10,000 reward for her safe return. He also started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to hire a private investigator.

"I feel helpless and hoping my reward will make people help us!" Gutierrez wrote.

As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, more than $4,100 has been donated to the GoFundMe campaign for Veronica.

Anyone who sees Veronica should immediately call their local police department.

"If they see her walking down the street, call your local police," Astley said. "If they have information about the case or where she is, call us at 707-584-2612."

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Search Continues For Rohnert Park Girl, 15, Reported Missing
• Rohnert Park Girl Reported Missing