Search Fails to Turn Up Missing Carlsbad Girl

A 12-hour search through the undeveloped terrain surrounding Batiquitos Lagoon failed to find a 13-year-old girl reported missing since Monday night, Carlsbad police said.

Nearly 50 officers from the police department, Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, and Border Patrol ended their search for Lucy Maria Morales about 3 p.m. Tuesday without success, said Lt. Greg Fried, Carlsbad Police investigations commander.

“There were absolutely no signs of her, no signs of a struggle, no clothing, nothing,” Fried said.

Morales, who had been living in the 900 block of Daisy Avenue with a woman who says she is her guardian, took a neighbor’s dog for a walk Monday about 6:30 p.m., police said. She was last seen in the neighborhood, just north of Batiquitos Lagoon, about an hour later.

The dog, a black cocker spaniel, was also missing.

Police do not know the cause of her disappearance, but have not ruled out the possibility that Morales may be a runaway.

Morales, a Mexican native, has been living in Carlsbad nearly two years with Patricia Hamilton.

“Apparently the girl’s family (in Mexico) asked Ms. Hamilton to take care of her, hoping that she would have a better life here than in Mexico,” Fried said.

“A neighbor has told us, that on one occasion at least, they heard Lucy Morales saying she was unhappy with the restrictions placed on her and was considering running away,” Fried said. The neighbor’s account occurred in the last two weeks, he said.

“For all we know, she might have up and gone back to Mexico,” Fried said.

Police describe Morales as 5-foot-1, 113 pounds, with brown, shoulder-length hair and brown eyes. She was wearing light-blue pants, a pink T-shirt and purple tennis shoes.

Hamilton said Morales left the house without any belongings.

“It doesn’t look like she was planning to go away, she didn’t take anything,” said Hamilton, who confirmed Tuesday that Morales’ grandparents had asked Hamilton to care for the girl.

“Her grandparents are like family to me,” Hamilton said. “Right now, I don’t care whether she’s here illegally or legally. That’s not important. I just want her back.”