Phoenix Police are asking the public for help locating 17-year-old Jazzell Ann Avalos.
The missing juvenile flyer was shared on social media by Phoenix Police
on Tuesday. The department is asking anyone who has seen Avalos or has information about her whereabouts to call non-emergency dispatch at 602-262-6151. Police explicitly note that comments and direct messages on their social media accounts are not a reliable way to reach investigators, since those channels are not continuously monitored for leads, according to Hoodline's
earlier reporting
on the department's tip procedures.
Banner Estrella Medical Center is located at 91st Avenue and Thomas Road, and the Queen Creek Independent has reported on access to Maryvale in the broader area.
A New Requirement for Missing-Child Flyers
A recent increase in missing-child flyers follows a change in state law. Arizona Senate Bill 1416, which amended A.R.S. § 8-901 and took effect on September 12, now requires law enforcement agencies statewide to publish missing child flyers on social media and notify news outlets within 24 hours of receiving a report, according to KTAR News. Gov. Katie Hobbs signed the bill in June after it passed the Legislature unanimously.
The law also mandates that police agencies submit missing or runaway juvenile records to state and national crime databases within two hours and share photos and descriptions with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children within 24 hours, per the text of the legislation reviewed by the Arizona Legislature.
Runaway cases make up the overwhelming majority of missing-children reports, according to data from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The organization reports an overall 90 percent recovery rate.
Alert Thresholds Explain the Quiet Response
How Missing-Person Alerts Are Used AMBER Alerts are used in the most serious abduction cases, while Arizona's SAFE Alert program covers missing seniors and individuals with cognitive or developmental disabilities.
Anyone with information on Avalos's whereabouts is urged to call Phoenix Police non-emergency dispatch at 602-262-6151.
