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A young girl who went missing in California in 2020 has been discovered safe in North Carolina, bringing a long and worrying chapter to a positive close.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina announced on March 10 that deputies had successfully located Karen Rosa, now 11 years old, in the eastern region of the state. This discovery marks the end of a search that began nearly three years ago when Karen disappeared from Los Angeles County.
The sheriff’s office revealed that they were able to trace Karen’s whereabouts after learning she was enrolled in local schools under a false name. “With the information provided to us, deputies determined that the child was attending Washington County Schools under an alias,” a statement explained.
The successful recovery of Karen involved collaboration between several agencies across North Carolina and California. The sheriff’s office expressed relief and gratitude for the outcome, noting, “These are very rare occurrences to have such a positive outcome on such an old case as this.”
According to ABC 11, Karen vanished on June 2, 2020, under troubling circumstances. At the time, her mother, who had legal custody, ceased communication with the Los Angeles County Department of Child and Family Services amid an active investigation. This led to a protracted search that has now fortunately concluded with Karen’s safe return.
On July 1, 2020, LA County DCFS reported the child missing, according to FOX 11. On March 6, 2026, authorities in Temple Station, North Carolina, received a tip that the child could be in the state.
Four days later, Washington County deputies took Karen into protective custody.
No arrests have been made in the case no further information is available at this time.
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo via NCMEC]