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OAK CREEK, Wis. (WFRV) – Authorities in southeast Wisconsin have released additional details regarding the disappearance and safe recovery of 13-year-old Lillian Asala.
According to the Oak Creek Police Department, Asala was reported missing on March 1 after she was last believed to be headed to Abendschein Park on East Drexel Avenue. However, phone data suggested she may have been in the area of South Pennsylvania Avenue and East Forest Hill Avenue.
When her phone stopped providing location updates, officers expanded their search with assistance from law enforcement agencies in the Milwaukee metro area and surrounding counties. On March 2, police issued a public notice requesting help in locating her. That same day, a citizen found her phone in Abendschein Park and turned it over to authorities for analysis.
Police used multiple investigative methods, including K-9 searches, drones, neighborhood canvassing, security camera reviews, interviews, and forensic data recovery. Searches also extended to properties belonging to family members, including Asala’s noncustodial mother, Luisa Asala.
By March 4, after all leads had been exhausted, police issued a Wisconsin Crime Alert for a missing endangered person. Authorities explained that an Amber Alert was not issued because the case did not meet the required criteria.
On March 7, detectives reviewing phone records linked Luisa Asala to a residence in Watertown. While officers surveilled the location, Oak Creek detectives located Luisa in Racine County. During questioning, she confirmed that Lillian was in the Watertown residence. Officers recovered Lillian safely, and she was found in good health.
Luisa Asala was arrested and has remained in the Milwaukee County Jail since March 7. On March 12, the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office charged her with interfering with child custody. Authorities said additional charges are being considered for others who may have assisted her.
The Oak Creek Police Department thanked the community for its support and assistance during the investigation. The case remains active, and no further details are available at this time.
