A 19-year-old woman from Texas disappeared unexpectedly during a morning walk on Christmas Eve, just minutes after departing her home. Her disappearance occurred in an area known for human trafficking, raising concerns about her safety.
Camila Mendoza Olmos was last observed around 7 a.m. on Christmas Eve, after leaving her residence in northwest Bexar County, close to San Antonio, as reported by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities have issued a CLEAR Alert, a statewide system in Texas designed to help find missing adults who may be in danger, as the search for Camila intensifies.
Investigators have reviewed surveillance footage from that morning, which shows a person who appears to be Camila standing by her vehicle with its lights on, seemingly looking for something inside the car.
The video cuts off shortly thereafter, but Camila’s car was found still parked at her home, suggesting to authorities that she left on foot. No further sightings of her have been reported since.
Camila is described by deputies as being 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 110 pounds.
She was last seen wearing a baby blue and black hoodie, baby blue pajama bottoms and white shoes.
Authorities say the only items she is believed to have had with her were her car keys and possibly her driver’s license.
Camila Mendoza Olmos is 19 years old and lives in northwest Bexar County, Texas. She was last seen around 7am on Wednesday, Christmas Eve
A CLEAR Alert has been issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety, classifying Camila Mendoza Olmos as a possibly endangered missing adult
Surveillance footage shows an individual believed to be Camila near her vehicle shortly before she vanished. Pictured, the family car near where she was seen
Authorities have not shared any evidence of foul play, but the circumstances including her abandoned phone, her sudden disappearance on foot, and the lack of any confirmed sightings have fueled growing concern.
According to her mother, Rosario Olmos, Camila typically went for morning walks – a routine that made her sudden disappearance all the more alarming.
Rosario told CBS affiliate KENS that she and her daughter had been sleeping together early Christmas Eve morning when she felt Camila get out of bed.
About 90 minutes later, Rosario woke up and realized her daughter was gone.
‘I called her cell phone, but the cell phone was there on the bed and it was turned off,’ Rosario Olmos said.
‘I put it to charge and went out to look for her. I thought I would find her like other times, walking, and we would come home together,’ but Camila never appeared.
After checking with Camila’s boyfriend and her father, both of whom said they had not seen her, Rosario contacted the sheriff’s office to report her daughter missing.
Family members and friends spent Christmas Day searching the area around the home, but found no sign of the 19-year-old.
Camila is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs about 110 pounds
Her mother, Rosario Olmos said she went searching for her daughter, believing she would find her walking as she had many times before
Neighbors are seen coming out on the street to comfort Camila’s mother, Rosario
After checking with Camila’s boyfriend, pictured, and her father, both of whom said they had not seen her, mom, Rosario contacted the sheriff’s office to report her daughter missing
‘It is not normal for her to disappear,’ Rosario said, adding that she usually knows where her daughter is at all times.
‘I only ask God to please bring her back home,’ she said. ‘Bring her back to me.’
As the search stretched into Christmas Day, Camila’s aunt, Nancy Olmos, issued an emotional public plea online, urging people to share information and pray for the teen’s safe return.
‘Please help me and my family continue to share this,’ Nancy Olmos wrote. ‘We are still searching for my sweet angel, my niece, Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19 years old.’
She added that Camila had recently been baptized and was deeply religious.
‘She loves God with all her heart, and we are desperately looking for her,’ she wrote.
Acknowledging the timing of the disappearance on one of the year’s most sacred holidays, Olmos appealed directly to families celebrating together.
Camila, left, is seen here with Aisley Garcia in a Facebook post asking for her safe return
When Camila did not return, her mother, Rosario contacted her boyfriend and father before calling authorities
Family and friends searched nearby areas on Christmas Day but found no sign of the girl
‘I know many of you are gathered with your children and loved ones this Christmas, opening presents and celebrating together,’ she wrote.
‘As a sister in Christ, I am humbly asking for one special gift this year — in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ 0 please help us by sharing these posts and, most importantly, by lifting Camila up in your prayers.
‘We believe in God’s protection, and we have faith that Camila will come home,’ she added. ‘Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.’
The Texas Department of Public Safety issued the CLEAR Alert identifying Camila as a missing adult who is ‘possibly endangered,’ a designation that allows law enforcement to rapidly share information statewide.
