California Girl Missing Since 2020 Found at NC School

Child enrolled under fake name, 2,650 miles from where she was last seen

Mar. 11, 2026 at 9:50pm

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A 5-year-old California girl who went missing in 2020 has been found enrolled in a school in rural North Carolina under a fake name, some 2,650 miles from where she was last seen near Los Angeles. Authorities say the now 11-year-old child was discovered this week after California investigators tipped off the Washington County Sheriff's Office that the long-missing kidnapping victim might be in the area.

Why it matters

The discovery of the missing child is an extremely rare and positive outcome for a case that had gone cold for over 5 years. It highlights the importance of continued investigation and cooperation between law enforcement agencies, even on old cases, and the possibility that missing children can be recovered safely despite the odds.

The details

Deputies say they confirmed the girl's identity as Karen Rojas, who was reported missing from Duarte, California on June 2, 2020. She has been taken into protective custody and is safe. No arrests have been announced yet, and officials are still investigating how she ended up enrolled in a school in Washington County, North Carolina under a fake name.

  • Karen Rojas went missing on June 2, 2020.
  • She was found enrolled in a North Carolina school this week.

The players

Karen Rojas

A 5-year-old girl who went missing from Duarte, California in 2020 and was found enrolled in a North Carolina school under a fake name in 2026 at the age of 11.

Washington County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that located the missing girl after being tipped off by California investigators.

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What they’re saying

“These are very rare occurrences to have such a positive outcome on such an old case as this, but it reminds us that through hard work, and dedication, and cooperation, stories with positive outcomes like these can happen.”

— Washington County Sheriff's Office

What’s next

Officials are still investigating how the girl ended up enrolled in a North Carolina school under a fake name and are working to determine if any arrests will be made.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of perseverance and cooperation in missing persons investigations, even years after a child's disappearance. It provides hope that long-missing children can still be recovered safely, despite the odds.