Santa Rosa police locate missing 15-year-old girl

article

Joyce Kristin Albino, 15, was reported missing by her parents on July 23.

SANTA ROSA, Calif. - Update: Santa Rosa police said Friday afternoon the teenager had been located. 

Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing Santa Rosa teenager following several possible sightings across the Bay Area.

Parents dropped her off at junior college 

What we know:

Joyce Kristin Albino, 15, was reported missing by her parents on July 23. She was last seen around 11 a.m. on July 22 at the Santa Rosa Junior College Petaluma campus, where one of her parents had dropped her off, according to the Santa Rosa Police Department.    

When her parents returned around 1 p.m. to pick her up, they learned that Joyce had left class halfway through and left behind her belongings, police said, even though her phone was found. 

Joyce is a student at Casa Grande High School in Petaluma. Her parents said she was interested in becoming a social worker to help others.   

"I love her so much, and to let her know what we miss her lot," said Katherine Albino, who had this message for her daughter. "Whatever’s going on, it can be fixed. There’s a solution for everything, and we just want her back home."

Petaluma police initially led the investigation and followed several leads, but none revealed the teen’s location. Santa Rosa police have since taken over the investigation, given that she resides there.

"Right now we’re dealing with a 15-year-old girl who is out there without any resources," said Sgt. Patricia Seffens of the Santa Rosa Police Department.  "Unfortunately, what we see often is when young girls go missing they are more susceptible to becoming victims of human trafficking, and we’re really urging everyone in the community to help us locate Joyce."

Bay Area sightings

Dig deeper:

Authorities do not believe Joyce went missing under suspicious circumstances. However, there have been multiple possible sightings of her by acquaintances in areas including San Rafael, San Francisco and Redwood City.

Joyce is described as approximately 5 feet tall, weighing about 115 pounds. She has black hair, which may be dyed red, and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing a black "Pro Club" hoodie and gray bike shorts.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact Santa Rosa police at (707) 528-5222.