A California mother who went missing after a trip to Mexico has been found safe, according to authorities. Police confirmed that 21-year-old Yasmin Gonzalez Benitez is “voluntarily” in Mexico, though her disappearance left her young daughter in state custody.
Timeline of Events
- March 15, 2026: Benitez told her roommate she was going to Tijuana to visit family and would return later that day.
- March 20–24: When she failed to return, her roommate reported her missing. Authorities described her behavior as “suspicious” since she had never left her 4-year-old daughter for more than a couple of days.
- March 31: Santa Ana Police announced she had been located in Mexico and was safe.
Family and Custody
- Benitez left her daughter in the care of her roommate before departing.
- With no sign of her return, Child Protective Services (CPS) took custody of the child, where she remains.
- Police noted that attempts to contact Benitez’s mother and brother were unsuccessful, describing them as “uncooperative.”
- Authorities stressed that Benitez’s disappearance was voluntary, not the result of foul play.
- The case highlights challenges in missing persons investigations, especially when family members are unresponsive.
- For now, the focus remains on ensuring the child’s welfare and determining whether Benitez will return to California to reunite with her daughter.
This case underscores the complexities of voluntary disappearances, where personal choices intersect with family responsibilities and law enforcement protocols.
Source: People
