12-Year-Old at Risk Missing Juvenile NR12082rh

February 15, 2012

UPDATE
2/16/12

Detectives have reported that Polanco voluntarily returned home last night around 10 p.m. She was unharmed and indicated that her disappearance had been voluntary.

Los Angeles:  The family of Sarai Polanco and the Los Angeles Police Department are asking for the public’s help in finding Polanco.

On February 14, 2012, at about 7:30 p.m., Polanco was seen in the 8800 block of Van Nuys Boulevard. She was despondent after her mother recently was admitted into the hospital.  There was also an argument with family members.

Polanco is possibly in the company of an unidentified 18-year-old male black. A search of the immediate area using LAPD K9 and uniformed officers was unsuccessful.

Polanco is described as a 12-year-old Hispanic female, with long-dark-brown hair and brown eyes, 5 feet tall, medium build and weighs about 120 pounds.  She was wearing a white polo type shirt, blue pants, black shoes and carrying a purple gym type of handbag.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Sarai Polanco is asked to contact LAPD Mission Division Detective Mike Snowden at 818-838-9800. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.