Scottsdale Police are asking anyone with information to help locate 17-year-old Maya Sanchez, who was reported missing from her home early Wednesday. The department says she was last seen between 3 and 6 a.m. near 87th Street and McDowell Road and has no known means of transportation.
A ScottsdalePD post sought information about Sanchez.
Police said Sanchez was last seen wearing blue shorts and a black zip-up jacket.
Distinctive Tattoo Could Help Identify Her
Investigators say Sanchez has a “Binky” tattoo on the left side of her chest, an identifying feature that could help the public recognize her. The police notice gives no further details about the circumstances of her disappearance beyond the early-morning timeframe and her last known location near her home.
Police say Sanchez has no known means of transportation. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call Scottsdale Police at 480-312-5000.
What We Don't Know
Alert criteria and missing-child reports
Arizona DPS says an AMBER Alert is issued only when all five of its criteria are met, including that a child under 18 has been abducted and that the abduction poses a credible threat of imminent danger, serious bodily injury or death. A local police appeal for information, such as Scottsdale’s request in this case, does not establish whether those criteria apply to Sanchez, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children says its national 24-hour toll-free call center accepts reports about the location of missing children. This general resource does not indicate that the organization is involved in Sanchez’s case.
The department's appeal, posted Wednesday, does not include further details about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance or whether she has since been located. Hoodline will update this story if Scottsdale Police release additional information.
