WASHINGTON COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – A child reported missing from California nearly six years ago was found safe in eastern North Carolina on Tuesday, according to Washington County deputies.<\/p>\n
A missing persons poster says the child is 11-year-old Karen Rojas, who was reported missing from Duarte, California, in June 2020. <\/p>\n
After the Washington County Sheriff\u2019s Office announced that she was found, WITN spoke with Sheriff Arlo Norman for updates on the case.<\/p>\n
Sheriff Norman said his office received information from California law enforcement about a potential missing juvenile a few days ago, which prompted investigators to look further into the case. <\/p>\n
On Tuesday morning, officials determined Rojas was enrolled at a local school in Washington County under an alias, he said.<\/p>\n
Officials said Rojas is safe and was placed in protective custody. Norman called the case unusual, but said the outcome was an ideal one.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very rare\u2026 I\u2019ve been here since 2003. Kidnappings and abductions, they happen, but as far as here, this is kind of peculiar \u2014 they just don\u2019t happen that often and especially have positive outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Norman could not speak further into the case but says the child\u2019s conditions seem positive right now from what he can tell.<\/p>\n
The Washington County Schools district and the county Department of Social Services declined to comment when contacted on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
No charges have been announced. Officials said the investigation is ongoing and more information will be released as it becomes available. <\/p>\n
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