Los Angeles: The family of Jesse Sylvester Ortega and the Los Angeles Police Department request the public’s assistance in locating missing person, Jesse Sylvester Ortega.

Jesse was reported missing by his family on Sunday, June 9, 2002, from the LAPD Hollenbeck Area. The missing person investigation revealed Jesse had temporarily stayed at and was last seen on Sunday, June 16, 2002, at the Long Beach Rescue Mission, 1335 Pacific Avenue, Long Beach, California. It is believed Jesse may still be in the Long Beach area.

Jesse is schizophrenic and has a diminished mental capacity of a five-year-old. Jesse does not have his glasses and has great difficulty seeing. Jesse also has difficulty in remembering his name and may use other names such as Jesse Lopez, Genaro Lopez or Sylvester Ortega. Jesse requires medication.

Jesse is described as male, Hispanic, black hair, brown eyes, 5’02", 200 pounds and 26 years old. He was last seen wearing a dark blue sport shirt, khaki pants and light blue Converse tennis shoes. Jesse has a mustache and may since have grown a dark bushy beard. Jesse has scars on his hand.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts should immediately contact the Los Angeles Police Department Missing Persons Unit at 213-485-5381.

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