Missing 10-year-old Girl

UPDATE: 10-YEAR-OLD SAMANTHA LAZARO HAS BEEN LOCATED WITH HER GRANDMOTHER IN THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT. DETECTIVES HAD BEEN ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT THE GRANDMOTHER, BUT HAD INITIALLY BEEN UNABLE TO REACH HER.

Today, March 17, 2015, at approximately 10:50 a.m., Long Beach Police were contacted by a mother regarding her 10-year-old daughter, Samantha Lazaro, who had not shown up for school.  Officers immediately began searching for her, but have not been able to locate her.

Samantha left home, which is located in the area of Orange Avenue & Anaheim Street at approximately 7:35 a.m. this morning, and her mother believed she was leaving for school (Whittier Elementary).  When her mother confirmed with the school that she never arrived, the police were notified.  Our investigation later determined that Samantha never had any intention of going to school today through a note she left at home.

Samantha is described as follows:

RACE:              Hispanic

HEIGHT:           4’ 5”

WEIGHT:          80 lbs

HAIR:               Brown

EYES                Brown

CLOTHING:      Possibly a baby blue sweater with polka dots, jeans, and black sneakers

The Long Beach Police Department continues to search for the victim. Law enforcement agencies in the region have been alerted, and the Fire Department, local hospitals and public transportation have also been notified. Anyone with information regarding Samantha’s whereabouts is urged to call 9-1-1 if in Long Beach, or (562) 435-6711 if outside the City.