California girl kidnapped in 2020 found safe in North Carolina, authorities say

WASHINGTON COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) — A girl who was kidnapped from California in 2020 when she was 5 years old has been found safe in North Carolina.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said it found Karen Rojas, now 11, on Tuesday. Investigators said she had been enrolled in school under an alias.

Authorities said she was kidnapped on June 2, 2020. According to officials, the child’s mother – who had custody – stopped communicating with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services and believed to have taken the child.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services notified Washington County law enforcement that she might be in the state. Agencies coordinated and located the girl, taking her into protective custody.

Sources tell ABC News that the mother was with her in North Carolina, and the two had been living there for several years.

“These are very rare occurrences to have such a positive outcome on such an old case as this, but it reminds us that through hard work, and dedication, and cooperation, stories with positive outcomes like these can happen,” the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the mother is not in custody. Officials said they are working with the district attorney and Children and Family Services to determine next steps and possible charges.

Because of the child’s age, further details were not immediately released.