SAN FERNANDOÂ – San Fernando police asked the public for help locating a 14-year-old girl who disappeared today, presumably while on her way to a nearby convenience store.
Destiny Isabella Mercado, 14, texted her mother at 1:10 p.m. for permission to go to the 7-Eleven store at Hubbard Street and Borden Avenue and was believed at her home in the 1900 block of Chivers Street when she sent the message, according to San Fernando police Lt. Irwin Rosenberg. It was not immediately known if she was on foot when she sent the text, but she apparently did not make it to the store.
Mercado’s phone was found at 1:40 p.m. in the area of Hubbard and Glenoaks Boulevard by someone who claimed it was thrown out of the right rear passenger side of a moving vehicle, Rosenberg said.
It was unknown whether Mercado ran away, but the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the phone raises suspicion about the disappearance, he said. She has no prior history of running away.
Police also learned she was told she could not see a boyfriend, who lives in Palmdale. Sheriff’s deputies searched for but did not find her there nor anywhere else in the city where she is known to have friends, Rosenberg said.
“The Police Department has contacted area hospitals and conducted an area search but she has not been located,” he said. “A mass notification has been issued to San Fernando residents, businesses and surrounding area.”
Mercado is described as Hispanic, 5 feet, 3 inches tall, 160 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. A clothing description was not available.
Anyone with information was asked to call San Fernando police at 818-898-1267.
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