CA-Victor Rios, 18, San Diego County

[hoppyfrog]

http://www.10news.com/news/14284249/detail.html

An 18-year-old man who "functions at a level less than his age would suggest" is missing Saturday in North County, authorities said.



Victor Rios is listed as a missing person at-risk by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

The Mission Hills High School student was last seen Sept. 22 in Vista.


He is described as a Hispanic male, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 140 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.



Anyone will information is asked to call the sheriff's department at (858) 565-5200.

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http://www.10news.com/2007/1007/14287638_240X237.jpg

[CaliKid]

I live in Vista, and Mission Hills is one of two high schools in San Marcos, a neighboring town. In fact, my son used to go to school with Victor last year and knows him.

[hoppyfrog]

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/10/13/news/inland/san_marcos/13_58_5210_11_07.txt

October 11, 2007

Sheriff's Department officials are asking the public for help in finding a developmentally disabled San Marcos teenager who has been missing for nearly three weeks.

Victor Rios, 18, was last seen Sept. 22 at Vista Car Care at 444 S. Santa Fe Drive in Vista, where he collected aluminum cans, sheriff's spokeswoman Jan Caldwell said. He regularly frequents the business, authorities said.
Rios was seen that day wearing a brown T-shirt and blue jeans. He was on foot, but knows how to use public transportation, she said.

The disappearance of Rios, who has gone missing before but never for more than a day, is under investigation but not believed to be suspicious, Caldwell said.

"We think it's just a missing child, but, obviously, we have to look at all the areas," she said.

Rios is described as 5-foot-6 and 140 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He is Latino and does not have facial hair.

The teen, a special education student at Mission Hills High School, has the mental capacity of an 8- to 10-year-old and speaks Spanish and some English, Caldwell said. He spends most of his time in North County, including Carlsbad, and has relatives in Mexico, possibly Tijuana.

He also likes to frequent auto repair shops in San Marcos and Vista, Caldwell said.

Mission Hills Principal Brad Lichtman said school staff members have been notified and that students have requested permission to post fliers on campus and around the community. School officials have also worked with local law enforcement to coordinate with the Border Patrol and Mexican Consulate to find Rios, who Lichtman said has been described as "well-liked," "happy" and "positive."

"There have been efforts (to find Rios)," Lichtman said. "But it's been hard, because it's a mystery."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at (858) 565-5200 or county Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-TIPS. Crime Stoppers tipsters, who may remain anonymous, are eligible for an award of up to $1,000.

[aj1020]

"We think it's just a missing child, but, obviously, we have to look at all the areas," she said.

This INFURIATES me, when is a child ever "just" a missing child? She makes it sound like this is a totally normal, nonchalant thing. Grrrr. :furious:

(the bolding is mine)