MISSING PERSON
CASE #: 2003-42
Sofia Juarez
Status:
Open
Date of Last Contact:
Date of Last Contact:
Jurisdiction:
Missing From:
Kennewick, Washington
Summary:
Sofia Lucerno Juarez was a four-year-old American child who disappeared in Kennewick, Washington in 2003. Her case involved the first use of an Amber alert in the state of Washington. As of 2026, Juarez's whereabouts and the circumstances of her disappearance remain unknown.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Disappearance:
On February 4, 2003, one day before her 5th birthday, Sofia Juarez was abducted between 8:00 pm and 9:15 pm, as she walked westbound in the 100 block of E. 15th Avenue, towards S. Washington Street, in Kennewick, WA. She was at home with her mother, playing with some of her young uncles. Jose Lopez Torres, her grandmother's boyfriend, was preparing to leave for a nearby convenience store and had asked the children if they wanted to join him. Maria gave Sofia a dollar to spend at the store and assumed she caught a ride with the boyfriend. Sofia did not get into the car, however, and he left without her. When her grandmother's boyfriend returned from the store at 9:45 p.m. and said Sofia had not gone with him, Maria alerted the authorities. According to a witness report at the time, a Latino boy – age 11 to 14 – led her to a nearby van. The witness reported that the boy was laughing while Sofia was crying.
Additional Details:
By the morning of February 5, 2003 (Sofia's 5th birthday), an Incident Management Team was established to assist with oversight and support for search operations. Washington State's very first Amber Alert was issued. Extensive search and investigative efforts continued around the clock for the first three days. During that time, over 500 police officers, FBI agents, dive and rescue members, incident management team personnel, and civilian volunteers were involved in the search for Sofia. Ultimately, over 800 tips or leads were provided and investigated. A couple people mentioned seeing a white van in the area on the night Sofia went missing, leading police to question a registered sex offender who lived in the area and had access to a similar van. Police impounded the van and searched the man's home without finding anything relevant to the investigation. The man was questioned extensively, but was eventually ruled out when he passed a polygraph and police could find nothing to suggest he had ever met Sofia. In January of 2009, it's been almost three years that Sofia has been missing and her mother Maria passes away. Maria was only 26 years old when she passed and the family decides to spread her ashes where Sofia was last seen. According to the most recent update from the Kennewick Police Department, DNA samples were obtained from the woman who shared a resemblance to Sofia in a viral video published in Spring 2021. Authorities say an investigation into the video has been opened and that they are attempting to get in contact with the woman to get a voluntary DNA test to verify her identity. The woman is reported to be in a rehabilitation facility. As of late 2024, Sofia's case remains unsolved, with authorities continuing to investigate every tip. The Juarez family, still seeking answers, continues to hold out hope for Sofia's safe return.
Case Last Updated:
Timeline of Events
DNA samples were obtained from the woman who shared a resemblance to Sofia in a viral video published in Spring 2021.
A viral TikTok video emerged of a woman in Mexico who claimed to have been kidnapped, sparking renewed investigation into Sofia's case.
In January of 2009, it's been almost three years that Sofia has been missing and her mother Maria passes away.
By the morning of February 5, 2003 (Sofia's 5th birthday), an Incident Management Team was established to assist with oversight and support for search operations. Washington State's very first Amber Alert was issued.
At approximately 8 p.m. on February 4, 2003 she walked out of the bedroom and has not been seen or heard from since.
Associated Persons
Unknown H. (Person of interest/suspect) - Unknown
Andres G. (Biological father) - Living
Jose L. (Grandmother's boyfriend) - Living
Maria J. (Mother) - Deceased
Ignacia P. (Grandmother) - Living
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Missing Person
Missing Person
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