Kidnapped Child Found Alive After Years in Hiding

The now-11-year-old victim was discovered living under a fake name in North Carolina

Mar. 12, 2026 at 3:52pm

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A young girl who was kidnapped in Southern California nearly six years ago was found safe and living under a fake name on the other side of the country, authorities said. The victim was just 5 years old when she was last seen in Duarte, California in 2020 and was the subject of a separate investigation involving the Department of Children and Family Services at the time of her disappearance.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in recovering missing children, especially those who have been hidden under assumed identities for years. It also underscores the importance of coordination between local, state, and federal agencies, as well as organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, in tracking down leads and bringing victims home safely.

The details

Investigators worked in tandem with multiple agencies from North Carolina to California to safely find the girl and take her into protective custody. She was located after authorities received a tip revealing she had been enrolled in the Washington County School District "under an alias name." The victim's mother had custody and stopped communicating with DCFS workers, leading authorities to believe she was responsible for the child's disappearance.

  • The girl was last seen in Duarte, California on June 2, 2020.
  • She was reported missing to California authorities at that time.
  • The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children issued an updated age progression photo of the missing child just three months ago.

The players

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

A nonprofit organization that provides assistance to families and law enforcement in cases of missing and exploited children.

Washington County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that located the missing girl in Washington County, North Carolina.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

The law enforcement agency that was investigating the girl's disappearance from Duarte, California.

Department of Children and Family Services

The agency that was involved in a separate investigation related to the girl's disappearance.

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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

“After six years, the recovery of [the victim] is an incredible moment for everyone who has worked to bring her home. Her recovery reflects the persistence and close coordination between law enforcement and NCMEC and our shared commitment to never give up on a missing child.”

— John Bischoff, who oversees NCMEC's Missing Children Division

What’s next

Authorities have not made any arrests in the girl's disappearance, according to officials. The Washington County Sheriff's Office and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical importance of interagency cooperation and the tireless efforts of organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in tracking down leads and reuniting missing children with their families, even years after their initial disappearance.