Richmond police continue to search for runaway girls
on December 11, 2013
Today, Youth Services Detectives from the Richmond Police Department are searching for two sisters, Xiomara Zelaya, 13, and Heidi Moreno, 9, who ran away from home their home on Maine Avenue yesterday evening.
Sgt. Nicole Abetkov of the RPD said that Xiomara ran away from home after a fight with her mother over a boy; Xiomara’s mother did not want her daughter to have a boyfriend.
This is not the first time that Xiomara has run away, according to Abetkov. Two months ago she left home after a similar argument with her mother. This time however, she decided to take her nine-year-old sister with her. “Which is a little odd,” Abetkov said.
Police describe Xiomara as Hispanic, 4 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 80 pounds with brown eyes and long black hair to her waist. Heidi is Hispanic, 4 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 60 pounds with brown eyes and black shoulder-length hair.
Abetkov said that Xiomara was wearing black yoga pants and a brown tank top with skulls on it. Her younger sister was dressed pink pants, a pink shirt and a beige jacket with a hook.
Police are concerned for the girls’ safety because temperatures fell below freezing last night. However, they suspect the girls are staying in a house somewhere and are following up with friends and acquaintances.
Abetkov said one of the problems with locating the girls is that they did not bring a cell phone with them, which would have allowed police to track their movements.
Xiomara and Heidi moved to Richmond from San Francisco and still attend school there.
They did not show up for school today, Abetkov said. But the RPD has been working with police in San Francisco to try to locate the runaways. Abetkov also mentioned that there is a possibility the girls are staying with friends in Solano County.
The last time Xiomara ran away, she returned home of her own accord.
If you have any information about the girls’ whereabouts please contact the Richmond Police Department at 510-233-1214.
3 Comments
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Is there an update to this story? It’s been over two weeks.
Hello Giorgio,
Police said the two sisters were located, unharmed shortly after they were reported missing.
I love good news! Thank you, Joaquin, and Happy New Year!