Family Desperately Searching For Carson Teen Missing Since New Year's Day
Friends and relatives of a 16-year-old girl who disappeared from her family's Carson home on New Year's Day made a plea to the public Friday for information on her whereabouts, saying they fear she is a victim of human trafficking. According to her family, Alinka Angeline Castaneda was last seen outside the home in the 23000 block of South Caroldale Avenue around 5 a.m. Jan. 1. At a news conference Friday, the family and investigator Moses Castillo -- a former police detective helping with the search -- released footage from a Ring camera showing an unknown male approaching Alinka that morning just before she disappeared. "Maybe she came out to wish somebody a happy new year, give them a happy new year hug, and then something went sideways from there," Castillo said. "I don't know." The teen hasn't been seen since. The family says she disappeared without her cell phone or any other possessions. "All of her belongings are here, clothes, wallet, backpack, cellphone. So I guess that's why it's a little alarming because it seemed like she wasn't planning on leaving," said her brother Alan Torino. According to the family, the teen called two weeks later and spoke to her younger sister -- a call that authorities traced to the Venice area. "The sister said Alinka sounded scared in her voice, and that she didn't know where she was, but said that they (won't) let her go," Castillo said.
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