The search for a missing Mesa, Arizona teenager continues a week after she disappeared, and she was last seen at her school.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday, January 30 that they have issued an urgent appeal for help to find a 16-year-old boy. Laila Champagne Garcia.
The MCSO explained in a news release that Garcia was initially reported missing on Tuesday, Jan. 27, when she did not return home from Red Mountain High School a day earlier.
“Laila is a student at Red Mountain High School and was last seen at school on January 26,” authorities said in the statement.
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The police department added that “the specific clothing Laila was wearing at the time of her disappearance is currently unknown.” In addition, authorities said a “potential destination” for Garcia is also unknown.
Police have not shared any suspicions about whether Garcia was kidnapped or ran away on her own. Meanwhile, it seems his family has not spoken publicly about his disappearance.
The press release also describes Garcia as a Hispanic female who is 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighs approximately 100 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes, according to MCSO.
After Garcia was reported missing, a representative from Mesa Public Schools issued a statement acknowledging her disappearance and revealing how they were handling the situation.
“Mesa Public Schools is aware of the situation of a student who was reported missing after leaving campus. The safety and well-being of our students is always our highest priority,” the representative said in a statement to people.
The school district said they are “fully cooperating with local law enforcement as they lead the investigation.”
“Due to the protection of student privacy and the active nature of the investigation, the district is unable to share additional details at this time,” the statement added.
The spokesperson concluded, “Our thoughts are with the student and his family, and we are hopeful for his safe return. Red Mountain High School and Mesa Public Schools have not released any official statements related to Garcia’s disappearance.”
The MCSO did not immediately respond Us Weeklythe request for comment when asked about case updates.
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The investigation into Garcia’s disappearance remains ongoing. Police are asking anyone with information on Garcia’s whereabouts or where he was before he went missing to contact MCSO at 602-876-1011.
Later, Garcia was reported missing The Journey revealed in a June 2024 report that Arizona is the state with the second highest number of missing persons per capita. According to the report, California is the state with the largest population of missing persons. Arizona’s second place on the list is significant, as the state is only one-sixth the size of the leading state.
Additionally, Arizona’s Grand Canyon has the most missing hikers and search and rescue missions of any U.S. national park each year. However, the Grand Canyon is not geographically close to Mesa and is about 239 miles away.