AZ - Endangered Missing Child: Damaris Herrera
Damaris Herrera Lopez has been missing since Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at approximately 8p.m. She was with her parents in the parking lot of a McDonald’s restaurant in Yuma, Arizona. Media reports state that her parents have a long-standing custody dispute and this to be a transfer of custody between the two parents. During that meeting, Damaris became upset and ran off in the direction of an alley behind the YMCA near the McDonald’s restaurant.
It is unknown at this time whether Damaris continued down the alley or entered a vehicle. Police have questioned both parents and believe neither know the whereabouts of their missing daughter.
Damaris has in the past threatened to harm herself.
If you know the whereabouts of 10-year-old Damaris Herrera Lopez you are asked to call Detective Tejeda or Sgt. Rodriguez at 783-4421, or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.
Damaris is a 10-year-old Hispanic female with brown shoulder-length hair and brown eyes. She is 4′8″ tall and weighs 78lbs. Damaris also has a highly visible red birthmark on her right forehand. When last seen Damaris was wearing a navy blue polo shirt with the words “Harvest Prep”, black pants, white socks, white shoes, and green earrings in both ears.
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December 19, 2008
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Damaris has been missing now for one week and two days. There is no new information regarding her whereabouts. At first her mother, Chrystal Lopez, was reluctant to speak to the media; however, with her daughter still missing she has decided to break her silence. She spoke in generalities about the bitter custody dispute between herself and Damaris’ father. The night Damaris disappeared the meeting in the parking lot of the YMCA was to facilitate transfer of custody from Chrystal to Damaris’ father. Although Chrystal does not believe Damaris’ father is harming their daughter, she is not so sure about the new people her ex is exposing their daughter to:
From www.kswt.com:
Chrystal is raising concerns about her ex-husband’s lifestyle.
“I’m not accusing my husband. I don’t think he is trying to do anything to our daughter, but the people he is hanging around with, probably,” explains Lopez.
Ms. Lopez also went on to explain that Damaris has been greatly affected by the ‘changes’ going on in her life and has been hospitalized due to threats of harming herself.
I viewed an interview with Damaris’ father held earlier in the week. He stated he considers Damaris his ‘little princess’. I was a bit confused when he was explaining the situation and how it unfolded. He stated during the interview he was carrying Damaris in his arms and trying to comfort her as he walked away from her mother. I am wondering why he felt it was appropriate to physically carry an almost 80lb child. I am assuming it was at that point he struggled out of his arms and ran off. It is just my opinion but it sounds as if she does not want to live with her father. He stated he has permanent custody.
I feel bad for this little girl. I hope authorities can find her. It sounds like she needs to be put in a safe environment until her parents start acting in their daughter’s best interest.
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December 23, 2008
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The focus of the investigation into the disappearance of Damaris Herrera has changed to her parents. Although it is common practice to look at close family members when a child goes missing, investigators are said to be struggling to clear one parent; they are not naming the parent. Damaris’ father, Rey Herrera, says investigators are remaining tight-lipped with him regarding any leads and he is also having a hard time with area business owners. Some of the local business owners are unwilling to place a picture of Damaris in their shops citing company policy against the practice.While being interviewed by KSWT TV News, Rey Herrera did not want to address the accusations made by his ex-wife earlier in the week regarding his lifestyle and her concerns as it relates to the safety and well-being of their daughter. He preferred to focus on getting the message out that his daughter is missing and he wants her home. He is also upset with authorities because they never activated an AMBER Alert.
This is just my opinion, but I think a ten-year-old is not going to stay away from home this close to Christmas unless she is being prevented from coming home.
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December 24, 2008
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Police believe Damaris is in Mexico and has been there since the night of her reported disappearance. It is also believed that Damaris’ mother was involved in her daughter’s disappearance and has joined her in Mexico.
According to authorities, the eldest son of Chrystal Lopez, Richard Alvarez, was waitiing in the alley behind the YMCA the night of the disappearance. It was from that location he immediately drove Damaris to the home of a family member in San Luis Rio Colorado, Son. Mexico. Alvarez was taken into custody and booked on charges of fraudulent schemes, custodial interference, false information to law enforcement and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. His bail was set at $515,000.
Chrystal Lopez was given temporary custody of her daughter after she had filed a motion with the court and that temporary custody order expired the night Damaris was spirited away to Mexico. Lopez was supposed to appear in court today regarding a child custody hearing. She failed to appear so a warrant was issued for her arrest with bond set at $100,000. Lopez’s charges are similar to those of her son.
Authorities state the investigation is still ongoing to locate Damaris and Lopez; they are working with the FBI and Mexican authorities to bring this case to a conclusion. Chrystal Lopez is described as a 41-year-old female, 5 feet 6 inches, 200 pounds, with brown hair and eyes.Detectives are asking anyone who knows either one’s whereabouts or has any information about this case to call Detective Tejeda or Sgt. Rodriguez at 783-4421 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.
Carissa Planalp, Police “Struggling” to Clear Parent of Missing Girl, KSWT.com, December 23, 2008.
James Gilbert, Police Believe Mother Knew of Whereabouts of Missing 10-Year-Old, YumaSun.com, December 24, 2008.
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