The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has announced that three juveniles who were reported missing have been safely located. Kenneth Jones III, Zackarie Vega, and Jake Belvin who went missing recently, have been found after a search that involved deputy personnel, media coverage, and the public's assistance.
In an earlier plea for public aid, Zackarie Vega, a 12-year-old, was described as an at-risk individual last seen on December 8, 2025; his description and the circumstances of his disappearance were released to the public by the authorities, wearing a dark blue T-shirt, grey sweatpants, and was carrying a black backpack he left the 700 block of West Cypress Street in the city of San Dimas, alongside Kenneth Jones III and Jake Belvin whose details were not initially disclosed but ensued involvement in the subsequent search and identification.
The recovery of the juveniles concludes the Department's urgent search efforts and brings relief to the community; the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department expressed its gratitude towards everyone involved in ensuring the swift location and safety of the boys in a statement forwarded by the Sheriff's Information Bureau.
Additional information about the incident or the conditions under which the juveniles were found was not immediately released by the LASD, but the update signifies an end to a worrying period for all connected to the young individuals who vanished, but thankfully, they have since returned, or have been returned, to safety. For those interested in learning more about the initial missing persons alert, resources are still available via the Nixle alert provided by the Department.
While incidents such as these often stir community concern, the effective collaboration of law enforcement agencies, the media, and the public demonstrates the critical role of shared information and collective effort in resolving urgent missing persons cases.
