Search ongoing for missing teen who vanished outside her home on Christmas Eve
Niamh Shackleton
Featured Image Credit: Bexar County Sheriff's Office
A search is underway for a 19-year-old girl who failed to return home from a Christmas Eve walk.
On December 24, Camila Mendoza Olmos got up early and left her home in San Antonio, Texas, around 7am for her usual morning walk.
However, Camila didn't come home after a reasonable about of time, sparking her mother, Rosario Olmos, to become concerned. She went to call Camila's cellphone to find that the 19-year-old had left the device at home and that it was off. Instead, Rosario went to look for her daughter on foot and followed the usual route Camila would take but she was nowhere to be found.
Rosario also contacted Camila's father and boyfriend who confirmed that they had no heard from the teenager, so the worried mom filed a missing person's report with the police.
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Bexar County Sheriff’s Office has since released a statement that reads (via Fox News): "Camila’s mother stated that Camila normally goes for a morning walk; however, she became concerned when Camila did not return within a reasonable period of time.
"Video footage from that time shows an unknown individual, believed to be Camila, searching inside her vehicle for an unidentified item. Moments later, the footage ends.
"It is believed that she left the residence on foot, as her vehicle remained at the location. The only items known to be on her person are her car key and possibly her driver’s license."
Camila was last seen wearing a black hoodie, baby blue pajama bottoms, and white shoes.
While it was normal for Camila to go for a walk, her friend Isabela told KSAT that she'd usually stay on the phone with someone throughout the duration of the outing.
"It’s been very out of the normal," she said. "It’s not like her. She’s always been the one to always stalk on us and like, ‘why aren’t you doing this?’ [She would] make sure that her phone’s always charged."
Echoing similar sentiments, Camila Estrella, another of Camila's friends, said: "We’ll always be on the phone together when she walks."
According to Camila's father, Alfonso Mendoza, more than 100 people have taken part in the search for his daughter. Some family members even drove 17 hours from California to come help.
In a heartbreaking plea to Camila, Alfonso said: "Please come home. Daddy's missing you."
Anyone who may have seen or heard from Camila has been asked to contact the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office on 210-335-6000.