Description of Missing Girl, Body Match

A girl’s body was found Friday dumped in a riverbed, and police said it matched the description of a 9-year-old feared kidnaped two days earlier.

Patricia Lopez, a third-grader, disappeared Wednesday on the way home from Monte Vista Elementary School, about six blocks from the nearly dry Santa Ana River at the Fairview Street crossing, where the body was found.

The Orange County coroner had not made positive identification at midday and provided few details on the discovery of the corpse.

“All we can confirm at this point is that it is a female, Hispanic and about 9 years old,” Santa Ana Police Lt. Bob Chavez said.

Canvassing Halted

Police had abandoned a door-to-door canvass for Patricia on Thursday, with Sgt. Collie Provence saying kidnaping was “obviously our greatest concern right now” since there were no custody problems, Patricia did not appear to be a runaway and she was not with friends or relatives.

Patricia was seen by a teacher about 2:15 p.m. Wednesday walking out a school gate. Her mother, Modesta Lopez, customarily met her at a corner about a block from the school and within seven blocks of the family’s home, Provence said.

But Modesta Lopez was late, and when she arrived, there was no sign of her daughter.

Officers went door to door with photos of Patricia through the evening and were joined Thursday by volunteers from the Orange County Search and Rescue Team and police dogs.

Impassioned Plea

Modesta Lopez issued an impassioned plea for her daughter’s safe return Thursday, saying in Spanish, “Please. Whoever has her, please let her go. All we want is our daughter home with us.”

A school psychologist had been called in Thursday to counsel Patricia’s terrified classmates, and some parents complained that Jerome Park, next to Monte Vista School, attracts unemployed men.

“That happens here always. These men drink, and they bother the children,” said Gabina Estrada.