KAREN ANASTASCIO - 13 yo - Austin TX

Austin police are asking for the public’s help in finding a
13-year-old girl who was last seen this morning getting into the vehicle
of a man police said has previously carried out a violent felony
against her.



Authorities have activated an Amber Alert to find Karen Anatascio,
who is described as a Hispanic female. They said they think she is
possibly in immediate danger.

Anatascio was last seen about 8 a.m. getting into a brown-colored
Ford Expedition or Explorer at Bedichek Middle School near William
Cannon Drive and South First Street in South Austin.

Authorities said they think the car was driven by 25-year-old Angel
Rojas, who they said has previously carried out a violent felony against
her. No further information was immediately available about that
incident.

Rojas is described as a Hispanic male, about 5 feet, 3 inches tall
and weighing about 135 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911.

The search continues for a missing Bedichek
Middle School student. Austin police said they fear Karen
Anastacio's abductor is “extremely dangerous” and might already be
across the border. Police issued an Amber Alert for the
13-year-old after witnesses saw her get into a brown Ford SUV driven by a
man they think is Angel Rojas, 25. It happened across the street from
the school minutes before classes began Thursday morning. Rojas was
already facing allegations of felony violence against the girl. Karen
Anastacio is 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 115 pounds. She has black
hair and brown eyes and was wearing a black shirt, black pants and a
pink backpack. Angel Rojas is 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 135
pounds. He has black hair and black eyes. "I got scared
before I heard her name,” said Theresa Sepeda, as she waited with her
husband Pete outside the South Austin school. “You know, things come
through your mind that it could be my granddaughter." The Sepedas
often pick their granddaughter up after school and were among the
dozens of family members outside waiting to warn their students. "I'm
going to tell her to be careful and stay in the class,” said Pete
Sepeda. Principal Dan Diehl issued an emergency phone message to
parents, along with sending a letter home with students that read, "This
is not a stranger abduction, and no one else is at risk." Diehl
also urged parents: "Talk to your child about the importance of telling
us of any action they may witness that threatens campus security." "I'll
warn him not to talk to strangers,” said Maria Sanchez, parked in front
of the school waiting for her son. “If he has friends, not to get in
the car, because he's supposed to be in school, not outside." One
Austin Independent School District police cruiser patrolled the campus
at the end of the day, and a few other officers roamed the lawn. Former
students told us the school needs more security. "I think they
should have people standing at the corners instead of inside the
building,” said Kassandra Messenger. The principal said he and
other South Austin school administrators are seeing a startling trend of
young female students in relationships with much older men, sometimes
leaving school with them. The Sepedas plan to have a long talk with
their granddaughter about these dangers, as another family waits for
word on their own loved one. "I wish them luck,” said Pete. “I
hope she comes home safe. I hope they find her soon."

The 25-year-old man accused of abducting a 13-year-old Austin girl
Thursday morning is now charged with aggravated sexual assault of a
child, a first-degree felony. Officials issued the Amber Alert
Thursday morning after police said Karen Anastacio was last seen at 8:07
a.m. Thursday with suspect Angel Rojas, 25. Police said they fear he
may be headed to the border to leave the country, and court documents
indicate information pointed to Cuernavaca, Mexico. The two were
in a relationship police said was illegal, and authorities filed charges
Friday against Rojas - a family acquaintance. In those documents,
police said they developed information Rojas was going to be taking the
victim to Mexico. "We have reason to believe that she is in
immediate danger," said Austin Police Department Cmdr. Julie O'Brien
Thursday. "We're asking for the public's help in locating Karen." Austin
police said a teacher's aide saw Karen getting into a brown 1997 GMC
Jimmy SUV across the street from Bedichek
Middle School in South Austin with Rojas at the wheel. License
plate number: 84TFL4 School Principal Dan Diehl said
the incident happened just before the start of the school day across the
street from the campus near the intersection of Bill Hughes Road and
Thelma Drive. Karen was walking to school with a group of other
students when she said she felt ill, Diehl said. He said shortly after,
the suspect arrived at that location, where Karen got in his car. Karen is a 5-foot-2-inch tall Hispanic female and weighs
approximately 115 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes and was last
seen wearing a black shirt and black pants, carrying a pink backpack.
Angel Rojas is described as a Hispanic male, weighing
approximately 135 pounds. He is 5 feet 3 inches tall and has black hair
and brown eyes. Rojas may also use the following names: Juan Alberto
Espinoza-Ambrocio and/or Eduardo Lopez. Anyone
with information on the whereabouts of the victim or suspect is urged to
call 911 immediately. Police said Thursday Karen's
family was taking action in filing a criminal charge against Rojas for
allegedly committing a violent felony offense against Karen, something
officials said may be the motivator for Rojas to flee not only the area
but also the country. Police said they are working with various
law enforcement agencies throughout the state and with border agents as
well, but they are also asking for all eyes to be on the lookout.

Police have canceled an Amber Alert for 13-year-old Karen Anastacio but
are still actively pursuing the case, Austin Sgt. Keith Bazzle said.
Police have been looking for Anastacio since Thursday,
when she was last seen getting into the vehicle of 25-year-old Angel
Rojas, police officials said. On Friday, Rojas was charged with
aggravated sexual assault of a child, a first-degree felony, according
to an arrest affidavit.

Police canceled the alert after updating a description of the vehicle
the two are believed to be in: a brown 1997 GMC Jimmy
sport-utility-vehicle with Texas license plates 84TFL4.

“We have reason to believe the victim and suspect are already in
Mexico. We’re working with the Mexican authorities in an effort to
locate her and ensure her safe return,” Bazzle said. “We have issued a
warrant for the suspect and have been in contact with Mexican
authorities to assist with apprehending him.”

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20004580-504083.html#addcomm

no follow up on this - this poor little girl may be in mexico with a man who previously attacked her.

17 July, 2010 - 17:39.
Karen Anastacio missing from Austin, TX, has been recovered. Your participation in this program has made a valuable contribution to this recovery.Thank you for your support.The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Visit our web site at www.missingkids.com.