Abandoned Mexican Girl Reports Rape

Authorities are searching for the family of a 12-year-old Mexican girl who said she was kidnapped and raped after being dropped off in the San Fernando Valley three weeks ago.

The girl told authorities that she and her mother were separated at the border after they were smuggled into California from Mexico.

She said the smuggler, who brought her to the Los Angeles area, dropped her off at a Valley fast-food restaurant. She stayed near Roscoe Boulevard and Noble Avenue in Panorama City, where she was kidnapped, blindfolded and raped by two men, she told authorities.

After noticing the girl for about three weeks, a woman took her into her home last week and contacted the county Department of Children and Family Services, authorities said. County officials contacted police Tuesday. .

Police said they are trying to locate the child’s parents and the men she said raped her. Detectives from the LAPD’s Devonshire Division and the Robbery/Homicide/Rape special section are investigating.

“Our main concern is the well-being of the child,” said Det. Jesse Alvarado. “[Then] our focus will be on investigating the case and locating the parents.”

Anita Bock, director of the county children’s department, said that in cases involving Mexican children, authorities work closely with the Mexican Consulate and Mexican child welfare centers to find family members. She declined to speak specifically about the girl’s case but said children generally are kept in foster homes or shelters during the searches.

A Juvenile Court judge has the final say on permanent placements, she said. Children can be returned to their native countries or granted immigrant status here.