An amber alert for the abduction of a 13-year-old girl from San Antonio was issued on November 6, more than two months after her disappearance.
Joanna Luna was last seen on August 20 on the 11700 block of Spring Dale Drive in northwest San Antonio, according to Fox 4 News.
The alleged suspect in her abduction is 17-year-old Richard “Xavier” Rodriguez. He is also believed to be driving a U-Haul bearing Arizona license plates with the number AE44935, according to the alert.
The reason why the amber alert was issued months later is currently unknown, however, the State of Texas has five criteria that must be met before the Texas Statewide Amber Network is activated.
The first is that the missing child is 17 years old or younger.
Next, the law enforcement agency must have reason to believe that the missing child has been abducted. Typically, this means that the child was unwillingly taken without express permission from their parent or guardian.
Another is that “the law enforcement agency believes the child is in danger of serious bodily harm or death,” as the Center for the Missing states.
Next, an investigation must be conducted by the law enforcement agency in order to rule out alternative explanations and to verify that an abduction has indeed occurred.
Finally, an amber alert is issued with there is enough information to share with the public to assist in locating the abducted child.
In the case of Luna, who is 5’5″, 110 lbs. and has brown hair and eyes, law enforcement officials are asking anyone with information regarding her abduction or current whereabouts to call 210-207-7660.
The Dallas Express will continue to monitor this story for any additional information and developments concerning the missing child and the ongoing investigation into the suspected abduction.
Update November 8, 2022: An additional alert was sent out noting that the prior U-Haul vehicle is no longer suspected in the case. It explained further that Richard “Xavier” Rodriguez remains the primary suspect.