Svetlana’s mother Samantha Salinas says after she went missing, she found her old phone that was still linked to her new phone, and found concerning messages.
SAN ANTONIO — The family of a missing 14-year-old girl says they fear she may be in danger after leaving her home in east Bexar County last weekend, and they are asking for the public’s help in finding her.
Svetlana Ortega was last seen Sunday, Dec. 7, at her home on Gastonian Mill, according to her mother, Samantha Salinas. Salinas said concerns escalated after reviewing her daughter’s social media activity, which she believes shows signs of possible grooming and exploitation.
“She is being groomed, yes, and I feel it’s something bigger — like a sex trafficking ring,” Salinas said.
Salinas, said Svetlana disappeared shortly after Salinas found a teenage boy inside her daughter’s bedroom and asked him to leave.
“He ran out the door, and then I went back to get my phone, and my daughter ran out,” Salinas said.
Salinas said Svetlana’s phone has since been turned off. However, she was able to access messages on an older phone that was linked to her daughter’s current device. Some of those messages, she said, raised serious red flags.
“My daughter would send explicit photos, and that account would send a username, and it would say, ‘your next victim,’” Salinas said. “There’s another message that says, ‘Uber, four minutes.’ I’m guessing that’s how the boy got to my house. Either she or he is selling these photos.”
Salinas believes the boy who was with her daughter may have been attempting to recruit Svetlana into sex trafficking.
Lori Wittmeyer with Search & Support San Antonio said that scenario is not uncommon.
“There are young people out there known as spotters that are paid to look for other young people that they could take advantage of and begin trafficking,” Wittmeyer said.
Wittmeyer urged parents to closely monitor their children’s social media use and have open conversations about warning signs and online safety.
Salinas said her family has been tirelessly searching for Svetlana, handing out flyers and following up on any possible leads.
“It’s been nonstop, looking for any clue,” she said.
Fighting back tears, Salinas made a plea directly to her daughter.
“Svet, mami — just come home. We are all praying for you. We’re all waiting for you. Just come home. We love you so much,” she said.
Anyone with information about Svetlana Ortega’s whereabouts is asked to contact the San Antonio Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit at 210-207-7660.