“Its a dire need that we believe that she could be being human trafficked. We believe now that it’s a grooming situation,” said Trinidad Ramirez.
SAN ANTONIO — The parents of a missing 16-year-old girl say they fear their daughter may have been lured into human trafficking and are pleading for the public’s help to bring her home.
Trinidad and Annette Ramirez said their daughter, Isabella Ramirez, was last seen leaving their home in the Mill Stream Bend neighborhood near U.S. 281 shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, according to home surveillance video.
Trinidad Ramirez said Isabella had also left the house without permission the night before she disappeared. He said he confronted her and told her she would be grounded and have her phone and tablet taken away.
Isabella has not been seen since leaving the home. Through phone records, her father said he was able to track her location to a nearby house, but the lead did not provide answers.
Ramirez said he has been working with law enforcement and believes aspects of the case are alarming. He said the family fears Isabella may have been groomed and trafficked.
“We believe that she could be being human trafficked,” Ramirez said. “We’re believing now that it is a grooming situation.”
Ramirez said he believes someone is luring his daughter away from her family and that her disappearance has taken a toll on everyone at home, leaving him with sleepless nights.
“I’m holding strong for my family,” he said. “But I love my daughter, and I want her home.”
The family is working with the nonprofit Search and Support San Antonio, which has created flyers to help locate Isabella. Ramirez said he believes there are people who know where she is and urged anyone involved to let her go.
Anyone with information about Isabella Ramirez’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office at 210-335-6000 or Search and Support San Antonio at 210-338-0027.