A Texas teenager mysteriously vanished from her home early on Christmas Eve, taking only her car keys. Her family initially thought she was likely just out for her routine walk.
Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19, was last spotted outside her home in San Antonio shortly before 7 a.m. on Wednesday, as reported by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office later that day.
Authorities shared that Olmos was seen on security footage, wearing light blue pajama shorts, a black hoodie, and white shoes, rummaging through a car parked outside before the video feed abruptly ended.
When she didn’t return, her car remained where it was. According to the sheriff’s office, Olmos is believed to have left on foot, likely just with her car keys and perhaps her driver’s license.
On the morning she disappeared, Olmos had been sleeping alongside her mother, Rosario Olmos.
Rosario sensed her daughter get out of bed but stayed put for around 90 minutes before heading to check on her. In a conversation with KENS5, she expressed her concern after discovering that Camila’s phone was off and lying in her bedroom.
Thinking her daughter was out for her normal walk, Rosario searched the neighborhood, but couldn’t find her anywhere. “I was walking as usual, hoping to catch a glimpse of her and go home together,” she mentioned, visibly worried.
Attempts to contact her daughter’s boyfriend and father were also unsuccessful; neither had heard from Camila.
A missing persons report was soon filed with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, and a CLEAR (Coordinated Law Enforcement Adult Rescue) alert was issued, identifying her as missing and “possibly in danger.”
In a heartfelt plea, Rosario stated, “All I ask God is to please bring her home. Just please bring her back to me.” She urged others to pray for her daughter’s safe return.
Friends and family noted that it was common for Olmos to take walks while chatting on the phone. “She always called me when she was out walking,” shared her friend, Camila Estrella. Another friend remarked, “This is so out of character for her. She was the one keeping track of us, making sure our phones were charged.”
Since her disappearance, over 100 people have gathered, including relatives who traveled from 17 hours away, to search for the missing teen, but their efforts have yet to yield any results.
The situation has taken a toll on her family. “It’s been really tough,” stated her father, Alfonso Mendoza. “I just want my daughter back.” Olmos’ brother, Carlos Mendoza, flew in to help with the search. “We’re scouring the area within a three-mile radius,” he said. “I just want her back.”
