Three teenagers from Buckeye have been located in Mexico after leaving their homes unannounced, triggering a multi-agency search. The Buckeye Police Department mobilized an effort with the cooperation of U.S. and Mexican authorities to find the two 16-year-olds and one 17-year-old female who were believed to have run away together. In a statement on the City of Buckeye official website, it was reported that initial clues led to the discovery of one of the teen's cell phones pinging in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.
Last Saturday, September 28, concerns arose after a group of teens didn’t return home while active on the Mexican side of the border. Working alongside local families, the U.S. Marshals Service and Mexican law enforcement began an investigation that involved tracking the teens' shuttle ride to the border and their subsequent entry through the Nogales Port of Entry. Soon after, the girls were located in a shelter set up by Mexican authorities, found traveling alone, and no arrests were made regarding their departure.
The concerted efforts culminated in the safe return of the trio, with one of the teens being picked up by family on Tuesday, October 1. Following this, the remaining two girls were also safely reunited with their guardians yesterday, with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service. The multi-agency collaboration was crucial in navigating the cross-border complexities to ensure a secure and swift resolution to what could have been a more harrowing ordeal.
Acting U.S. Marshal, Van Bayless, commended the teamwork, stating, “The swift and safe recovery of these missing juveniles is a testament to the unrelenting collaborative efforts made by our Deputy U.S. Marshals and law enforcement partners on a daily basis.” According to the information obtained from the Buckeye city website, Bayless further emphasized the importance of the communication continuity and coordination between local, state, federal, and international partners that proved paramount in resolving time-sensitive cases such as this.
The Buckeye police have expressed their gratitude for the support received from both U.S. and Mexican authorities in ensuring the welfare of the runaway teens. The case serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of cross-border law enforcement partnerships and underscores the successful outcomes that can be achieved when multiple agencies work in concert.
