A family is asking for the public's help in finding Ava Garcia, a 16-year-old Hispanic girl who went missing from Lancaster, California, on March 17, 2026. Ava is described as being 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighing 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) has since marked Ava Garcia as located, and her missing poster has been taken down. NCMEC has not said whether she was found alive or deceased, and no further details about the circumstances have been released.
Ava, who was new to the Lancaster area, was last seen at a facility called Dimondale Adolescent No. 2. According to her family, she left the facility with her roommate to attend a party.
Later, the roommate returned, but Ava was not with her and has not been seen or heard from since.
At the time of her disappearance, Ava was wearing a distinctive cheetah print bodysuit with long sleeves and long legs.
As of April 2026, Ava Garcia remains missing. Her family is deeply concerned for her welfare. Anyone who has information that could help locate Ava is urged to contact the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station at 661-948-8466. Her case is listed in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System under number NC999661078.Last Seen: Mar 17, 2026
