A missing 14-year-old girl has been found in San Antonio, Texas, just days after two other teens disappeared in the same area, prompting growing concern from authorities and the local community.
Sofia Gabriela Peters-Cobos, 14, was last seen on Monday evening after leaving her home near Landon Ridge and Potranco Road at around 7pm, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
NewsNation reports that she has since been found safe.
Third Teen Reported Missing in Bexar County Within a Week
Sofia’s disappearance marks the third missing teen case reported in Bexar County in less than a week, though authorities have said there are no indications at this point that the disappearances are connected.
On Christmas Eve, 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos vanished while out on an early morning walk near her San Antonio home.
She was last seen at around 7am, BBC News detailed.
The following day, on Christmas Day, deputies also asked the public for help locating 17-year-old Angelique Johnson, who was last seen on Potranco Road.
Police believe Johnson still had her phone with her at the time she went missing.
Concerns Raised Over Camila Mendoza Olmos’ Disappearance
Investigators have said Olmos’ case is particularly concerning after her phone was found dead on her bed at home. Her mother described this as “highly unusual” behaviour for her daughter.
Authorities have warned that Olmos could be in “imminent danger” and have not ruled out the possibility that she may have crossed the US border as part of a trafficking situation.
“That’s why we’re working basically around the clock on this case,” Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar previously told CBS News.
Police also confirmed that Olmos had recently gone through a break-up, and they have not ruled out the possibility that she may have left home voluntarily.
“She could have just wanted to get away, gather her thoughts,” Salazar said.
“There is a concern regarding self-harm, so that could be what’s going on here. She may have gone and harmed herself, or she could have been abducted.”
“At this point, we’re looking at that whole spectrum of possibilities until such time as some prevailing evidence emerges that leads us one way or the other,” he added.
A Body Is Found
Now, a body resembling Olmos, 19, was found next to a firearm in a grassy area near the family's home after a week-long search by authorities who feared she could be in "imminent danger," the Daily Mail reports.
Police said they possibly found the girl in a patch of tall grass at Burnin' Bush, a landscaping business that is located almost directly behind the Olmos' family home in San Antonio.
Also located nearby was a weapon that Olmos' brother, Carlos, had reported missing from their home shortly after his sister's disappearance – a 9mm Luger pistol.
Footage Released
On Monday, police released surveillance footage that appears to show Olmos walking near her home on the morning she disappeared. In the video, she is seen wearing a North Face jacket and pyjamas.
Authorities have noted that Olmos’ home is around a 30-minute drive from the area where the other two teens were last seen.
Investigations into all three cases are ongoing, with police urging anyone who may have information to come forward as soon as possible.