A 15-year-old girl who disappeared from South Los Angeles nearly a month ago while on her way to school was found safe and reunited with her family, the Los Angeles Police Department reported on Thursday.
Jaiyana Evans, who had last been seen leaving her Watts home on May 1, was located Wednesday at around 10:30 p.m., the LAPD announced in a news release.
“There was no criminal activity related to this missing, and no additional releasable information,” LAPD Officer Drake Madison told Newsweek.
The Context
The case drew significant attention in Los Angeles as authorities and family members sought public assistance in the search for Evans.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of minors are reported missing across the United States. Cases like Evans’ underscore the importance of community involvement and timely police action when children disappear.
What To Know
The LAPD began its investigation after Evans was last seen around 7:13 a.m. on May 1, as she left her house to go to school. She did not return that day, leading her family to raise concerns about her well-being.
During the nearly month-long search, the family and LAPD officials urged the public to provide tips that might lead to Evans’ recovery.
Authorities did not disclose how or where Evans was found.
National Trends in Missing Person Cases
Cases like Evans’ reflect a nationwide challenge. In 2024, the FBI’s National Crime Information Center reported over 533,000 missing person cases across the U.S. This includes nearly 350,000 cases of missing juveniles.
Evans was found just three days after National Missing Children’s Day, an annual observance to advocate for the safety and well-being of children.
Over 63,000 children were reported missing in the state of California last year.
What People Are Saying
The LAPD, in a news release after Evans’ disappearance: “Jaiyana has not been seen since, and her family is concerned about her well-being.”
Eileen M. Garry, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention acting administrator, in a statement about National Missing Children’s Day: “Today’s Missing Children’s Day commemoration is a reminder that child safety must be a shared priority. Because, ultimately, we all have a role to play—parents, guardians, caregivers, concerned citizens, law enforcement, and other professionals. Together we are responsible for safeguarding our nation’s most valuable resource: its young people.”
What Happens Next
The LAPD has not announced further investigative steps or public briefings.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact (213) 709-3784 or 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247) during weekends or non-business hours. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or online.
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