SAMANTHA ZUNIGA - 12 yo - El Mirage AZ

EL MIRAGE, AZ - The El Mirage Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating 12-year-old Samantha Zuniga.

Samantha was last seen Saturday near Thunderbird and El Mirage Road.

According to El Mirage police spokesman Robert Peoples, Samantha reportedly told her friends she was headed to Mexico with 28-year-old Jesus Heriberto Chaparro Acosta.

At this time, police don't believe there is any foul play, but they need help in locating Samantha and returning her home.

Samantha is described as a Hispanic female, 5-feet-2-inches tall and weighs 150 pounds.

She has a lower lip piercing, black hair and brown eyes.

Samantha was last seen wearing a pink shirt, blue denim shorts and Nike shoes.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the El Mirage Police Department at 623-933-1341.

Read more: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_west_valley/el_mirage/el-mirage-police-looking-for-missing-12-year-old#ixzz1oFJtIoXp

FOUND

"A 12-year-old girl was found in Mexico on Wednesday after being reported missing for five days, according to the El Mirage Police Department Thursday.

Police believe Samantha Zuniga went to Mexico willingly with a 28-year-old man. Police have identified the man and believe he is still in Mexico. His name wasn't released.

Officials picked up Zuniga in Nogales after one of the girl's family members received an anonymous text saying the girl would be arriving there by bus Wednesday and should be picked up by police or family, said Det. Kim Walden of the El Mirage Police Department.

Officials have not determined who sent the text, but they said the person who sent it was prompted by television reports of Zuniga's disappearance, said Sgt. Dave Wilson of the El Mirage Police Department.

Zuniga took a "very long" bus ride from a different city in Mexico to get to Nogales, Wilson said. She was brought back to Arizona on Thursday morning.

The El Mirage Police Department launched a search for Zuniga on Friday after a friend said she received a call from Zuniga.

Zuniga told the friend she was in Mexico with a 28-year-old male acquaintance. The United States Marshall for Arizona, the United States Department of State and the United States Customs and Border Protection helped in the investigation.

Zuniga had experienced issues with her family and school, Walden said, but would not say what those issues were."

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/03/08/20120308el-mirage-missing-girl-found-mexico-abrk.html#ixzz1oYgTkcGI