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The city of Carson on Tuesday approved a $100,000 reward for the search for a 16-year-old girl who went missing in January.
The reward will be distributed to the person who produces information that results in an arrest and conviction, it is believed that Alinka Angeline Castaneda is restrained against her will, informed Moses Castillo, a retired detective from the Los Angeles Police Department who represents a family.
“I’m happy because I know they haven’t left me alone, that I have support, that my city that I love hasn’t failed me,” said Marciela Avila Roses, the mother of the young woman.
“I almost feel like I can breathe again,” Alinka’s brother said. “I feel like that will definitely help.”
Marciela Avila Roses said her daughter left her home in Carson on the morning of Jan. 1 without any identification, credit card, or change of clothes. On January 19, Roses said she received a call from her daughter, which made her think she might be a victim of human trafficking.
“He called his family at least three times. Each time it sounded under duress. And he said something like, ‘They’re not letting me go. I don’t know where I am’, and you have to hang up,” Moses said.
Roses said her daughter didn’t hang out with many friends, but met a young man two days before she went missing.
Since he left, his cell phone has remained offline and his social media accounts have also been deactivated.
The Carson Department of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the agency leading the investigation, said investigators were following leads and using social media during the search. Castillo said the mayor and city council of Carson requested FBI assistance.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the authorities.
“I really hope anyone with any information, no matter how minimal or thought they may be, will come forward because at this point any information would definitely help us.”