After nearly six years, a California girl who disappeared in 2020 has been found safe in North Carolina, authorities announced on March 11, 2026. The recovery of Karen Rojas, now 11 years old, highlights the enduring efforts of law enforcement and missing persons organizations in locating long-lost children.
Karen Rojas was last seen on June 2, 2020, in Duarte, California. At the time, she was described as approximately 3 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 40 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. The case initially focused on the child’s mother, who had custody but ceased communication with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), leading authorities to believe she had taken her daughter.
Although, those initial suspicions did not lead to a resolution, and the DCFS officially reported Karen missing on July 1, 2020. For years, the case remained open, with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) working closely with local and state officials to find her.
The breakthrough came on March 6, 2026, when detectives received information suggesting Karen might be in North Carolina, nearly 2,600 miles from her original home. Following up on the lead, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office located the girl on March 10, 2026, enrolled in a local school under an assumed name.
Due to her age and the sensitive nature of the case, authorities have not publicly disclosed the alias Karen was using. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the rarity of such a positive outcome in a long-standing case, stating, “These are exceptionally rare occurrences to have such a positive outcome on such an old case as this, but it reminds us that through hard work, and dedication, and cooperation, stories with positive outcomes like these can happen.”
Karen Rojas is currently in protective custody, and officials have confirmed she is safe. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated it will continue to collaborate with other agencies as the investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities have not yet announced whether any arrests or charges will be filed in connection with her disappearance, nor have they released details about Karen’s living situation in North Carolina. Further information is expected to be released at a later date, with the child’s privacy remaining a top priority.
Reported by Lad Bible and Fox 11
