UPDATE: The search for 12-year-old Teriana Mahomes of Long Beach, which escalated over the weekend with multiple alerts by law enforcement, concluded with the girl being found safe. The Los Angeles Police Department and the California Highway Patrol had previously issued simultaneous Ebony and Amber Alerts, respectively, as authorities canvassed the area in an urgent effort to locate her. Mahomes was last seen in the company of her mother's boyfriend, Clark Thomas Wheeler, on Wednesday afternoon in the 6600 block of Atlantic Avenue, as reported by CBS News Los Angeles.
AMBER ALERT - Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties
— CHP - Alerts (@CHPAlerts) July 6, 2024
Last seen: Atlantic Avenue and E. Artesia Boulevard, Long Beach, CA @LAPD
IF SEEN, CALL 9-1-1 pic.twitter.com/UOOo0ppwqY
In a statement obtained by FOX LA, Theresa Mahomes, Teriana's mother, described her daughter "She’s friendly, she’s nice, she loves to dance," and expressed her deep concern during her daughter's disappearance, "I’m very, very worried, as a mom has to be." Missing since July 3, there was no immediate explanation offered at the time for why Wheeler would have taken Teriana, nor was there information provided about how Mahomes was found.
The California Highway Patrol issued an official cancellation of the Amber Alert early Sunday, signaling the successful end of the search. Details on the suspect, Clark Thomas Wheeler, provided by law enforcement, included a description of his physical appearance but fell short of enlightening the public on why he may have taken Teriana. Wheeler was last seen wearing a black jacket, black shirt, and black pants, according to Hoodline.
While Teriana was missing, law enforcement and the community worked together searching for clues to her whereabouts. Tips could be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers. Reflecting on her daughter's safe return, Theresa Mahomes gave a heartfelt message, shared by FOX 11, "Mommy loves her". She added, "I just pray that they release her and for her to be safe. For her to just come back to me, her sister, and her family."
