A 14-year-old Cuban girl named Alyssa Mariela González Velázquez has been missing since Sunday night after leaving her home in West Miami shortly after 7 p.m. Her family, who recently arrived from Cuba, is deeply distressed, noting that Alyssa has never left home unexpectedly before. "She went out at 7:30 p.m. to take out the trash. She told me she'd be right back," her mother, Lissandra Velázquez, told local media.
When Alyssa failed to return, her mother and younger brother started searching the building but found no trace of her. "We couldn't find her anywhere, not in the building or nearby," Lissandra expressed with growing concern.
Surveillance Footage Reveals Departure
Footage from a surveillance camera inside the building showed Alyssa leaving quickly with some clothing, which her mother later identified as several pairs of shorts. At the time of her disappearance, Alyssa was wearing a sleeveless black t-shirt, brown pants, and purple flip-flops. Lissandra assured U.S. media that her daughter does not suffer from mental health issues and had not shown signs of personal or family conflicts that might cause her to run away.
Unfamiliar Friendships Raise Concerns
Alyssa had recently made some friends at her new school, but her mother admitted she knows little about them or their families. "We don't know these friends because she's only known them for a short time," Lissandra said, fearing her daughter might be in danger or under someone's negative influence.
Community and Police Efforts Intensify
West Miami police have ramped up their efforts to locate the young girl, distributing posters featuring her photo and physical description in hopes of gathering any leads on her whereabouts. Meanwhile, the family continues to desperately seek assistance through social media and news outlets, pleading for Alyssa's safe return.
Neighbors and friends have joined the search, combing nearby areas and handing out flyers with Alyssa's image. However, no significant clues have emerged thus far.
Authorities urge anyone with information about Alyssa's location to contact the West Miami Police Department.