Missing and Murdered Children

Update:

Valeria has been located safe at an apartment complex in Mesa, AZ. Authorities were led to the location by her boyfriend. After leading authorities to the location the boyfriend was arrested and charged with interference with custody.

I am glad that this story had a happy ending. I hope Valeria will do well in the future.

An Amber Alert is in effect for Arizona to the Mexican border for a missing eleven-year-old girl.

Valeria Cardenas was last seen in the vicinity of Baseline Road and Priest Drive in the city of Tempe around 6:50 a.m. today. It was believed at the time of the issuance of the Amber Alert that Valeria was traveling with her nineteen-year-old boyfriend Carlos Mota-Aguilera. Other information was that the boyfriend threatened to kill Valeria if police were contacted.

Investigators are facing an even bigger problem now. Carlos showed up later in the day at his grandmother’s residence with co-workers stating he had been at work all day and does not know the whereabouts of Valeria. Detectives stated that Carlos is not under arrest and he is cooperating with them. Carlos claims that Valeria told him she was seventeen. One of Carlos’ friends was interviewed. When asked about the situation he was sort of laughing, saying his friend didn’t do anything wrong, except to have an eleven-year-old girlfriend. I hope that is all that he has done wrong.

Possible scenarios:

1. Valeria decided to run away from home and not tell her boyfriend.
2. Valeria decided to run away from home and Carlos is hiding her.
3. Valeria went with Carlos because he threatened to kill her she did not go with him and he has her hidden.
4. Valeria went unwillingly with Carlos and he killed her.

I am at a loss to try and understand why a nineteen-year-old male would want a child for a girlfriend. I am at loss to try and understand how an eleven-year-old girl could have a boyfriend eight years older than she. I am assuming that her parents were not aware of the relationship but I have my doubts.

Valeria Cardenas is approximately 5′1″, weighs 130 pounds and has shoulder-length brown hair with highlights. The last time she was seen she was wearing a light brown jacket, dark blue skirt and red shirt, and carrying a black backpack. It is believed that she may have changed clothing.

I hope she is found soon and found safe. I hope authorities look into the relationship between Carlos and Valeria.

• AZ Central.com: Man Sought in Amber Alert Turns Up; Girl Still Missing
• CodeAmber.org: Amber Alert Issued for Eleven-year-old Arizona Girl