San Fernando police asked the public for help locating a 14-year-old girl who disappeared Saturday, presumably while on her way to a nearby convenience store.
Destiny Isabella Mercado, 14, texted her mother at 1:10 p.m. for permission to go the 7-Eleven store at Hubbard Street and Borden Avenue, and was believed at her home in the 1900 block of Chivers Street when she sent the message, according to San Fernando police Lt. Irwin Rosenberg. It was not immediately known if she was on foot when she sent the text, but she apparently did not make it to the store.
Mercado’s phone was found at 1:40 p.m. in the area of Hubbard and Glenoaks Boulevard by someone who claimed it was thrown from the right rear passenger seat of a vehicle, Rosenberg said.
It was unknown whether Mercado ran away, but the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the phone raises suspicion about the disappearance, he said.
Police also learned she was told she could not see a boyfriend, who lives in Palmdale, and sheriff’s deputies were looking for her there, he said.
Mercado is described as Hispanic, 5 feet, 3 inches tall, 108 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. A clothing description was not available.
Anyone with information was asked to call San Fernando police at 818-898-1267.