Los Angeles: On Friday, April 19, 2002, at about 2:00 p m., Yanira Elizabeth Lozano, a seventeen year old resident of Van Nuys, disappeared in the 14800 block of Vanowen Street near her home. She has not returned home and her family has not heard from her.

Earlier that day, Yanira called her mother and complained that her uncle, Carlos Flores, a 43 year old resident of North Hills, had been driving around her residence and had called her on the telephone in violation of a Criminal Protective Order. The uncle, related to the missing juvenile by marriage, was previously accused of molesting the missing juvenile. Apparently, the uncle has also threatened to take the juvenile to El Salvador in retaliation for the previous accusation.

The missing juvenile, Yanira Elizabeth Lozano, is described as a female Hispanic, with black hair and brown eyes, standing about 4’-6" and weighing about 130 pounds. She was last seen wearing a white shirt and red pants, and a gold chain bracelet which spells "Sweet 15."

The possible suspect, Carlos Alberto Flores, is described as a male Hispanic, with black hair and brown eyes, standing about 5’-7" and weighing about 190 pounds.

As of April 22, 2002, at 3:00 p m, the possible suspect has not returned to his home in North Hills. It is believed that the missing juvenile may be in the company of the uncle, who was last seen driving a dark gray 1995 Mitsubishi pickup truck, California License Plate Number 5W15193.

Photographs of both the missing juvenile and the possible suspect are available at Van Nuys Operations Support Division and Watch Commander’s Office, as well as Media Relations Section.

The child abduction investigation is being handled by the Van Nuys Operations Support Division, Major Assault Crimes Unit. Any one with information about the disappearance should contact the assigned detectives at 818-756-8371, between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. On weekends and during off-hours, contact the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL [1-877 529-3855].

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Eduardo Funes, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.