Advertisement

FBI Searches for Girl, 12, in a Possible Kidnapping

Share
From a Times Staff Writer

The FBI and Fullerton police are investigating the disappearance of a 12-year-old Fullerton girl who has been missing since Wednesday, when she did not come home from school, authorities said Saturday.

FBI officials believe that Diana Karen Gama may have been kidnapped by Hermillo Ocampo Morales, 34, the estranged boyfriend of Diana’s mother. The FBI has obtained a federal warrant for Morales’ arrest, said Laura Eimiller, an FBI spokeswoman in Los Angeles.

“At this point it would be unfair to be speculative about the girl’s motivation, but we feel that he’s obviously taken her away from her family,” Eimiller said Saturday.

Advertisement

Diana, who was dropped off at Nicholas Junior High on Wednesday but did not attend classes, was last seen that morning talking on a cellphone.

Morales stayed in contact with Diana after the end of his relationship with her mother, Eimiller said.

Morales has contacts in Chicago, Atlanta and Mexico, “so it’s very possible they have traveled out of state and out of the country,” Eimiller said.

Morales’ car was found in Orange County.

Diana -- 4 feet, 2 inches tall and 100 pounds -- has dark hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing faded blue jeans, a white jacket with blue sleeves, and a pink top with a blue stripe.

Morales, who Fullerton police said may have his 11-year-old son with him, is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 185 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He also has a mustache, and a gold front tooth, the FBI said.

Advertisement