Police say a 13-year-old Northern California girl and a 19-year-old man were seen together twice before both were reported missing, and one needs medical care.
Story Snapshot
- Santa Rosa police opened two missing-person cases with separate dates and case numbers.
- Witnesses reported seeing the pair together in Petaluma on October 4 and Santa Rosa on October 5.
- Police say the 19-year-old has a medical condition that needs treatment.
- Officers asked the public to call specific non-emergency lines with tips.
Police Confirm Two Missing Cases And Linked Sightings
Santa Rosa Police Department records show two active missing-person cases. Police reported that 13-year-old Deanna Mendoza Pfoutz was reported missing on October 1, 2026, and 19-year-old Jaden Wilson was reported missing on October 5, 2026, with case numbers 26-10877 and 26-11047. Officers said they believe the two were seen together in Petaluma on October 4 and in Santa Rosa on October 5. Local outlets reported the same names, dates, and locations based on police statements.
Police identified both individuals and shared basic descriptions to help the public. Reports list Pfoutz as about 4 feet 11 inches tall and 120 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. Reports list Wilson as about 5 feet 4 inches tall and 120 pounds. Police also said there is no sign that either person is a victim of a crime at this time. That stance frames the search as a welfare case and a priority to locate and check on both individuals.
Medical-Welfare Concern And Specific Tip Lines
Santa Rosa police said Wilson has a medical condition that requires treatment. That detail raised the urgency to confirm his location and health status. Police did not release the diagnosis or treatment details, which is common because of privacy laws. They asked anyone who sees the pair in Santa Rosa to call the department’s non-emergency dispatch at 707-528-5222. They asked people with investigative information to call 707-543-3595.
Coverage by several Bay Area outlets echoed the police timeline and appeal, which increases public reach but does not add new evidence by itself. Some reports noted that Wilson’s family last saw him on October 2, which sits near the reported October 4 and October 5 sightings with Pfoutz. Police have not publicly explained how those reports fit together. That kind of gap is common early in missing-person cases when agencies protect minors’ privacy and verify tips.
Why The Appeal Matters And How Often These Cases Resolve
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) data show that 533,936 missing-person records were entered nationwide in 2024. Only a very small share were coded as stranger abductions, while most youth entries were runaways. This shows why police emphasize welfare checks and quick public alerts rather than assuming a crime. The base rates argue for focus and speed without jumpy claims. The public can help by sharing accurate descriptions and calling the numbers police provided.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports high recovery rates when cases get quick attention. In 2024, the group assisted with 29,568 missing-child reports, and 91 percent of those children were recovered safely. The United States Marshals Service also reported strong results in an operation focused on endangered missing children across 16 locations, noting most closed cases involved endangered runaways and many recoveries happened within a week of action. These figures back the current outreach push.
What We Know, What We Do Not, And How To Help
Police confirmed two case files, two reported joint sightings, and a medical-welfare concern for Wilson. They shared names, ages, and basic physical traits to guide searches. They also stated there is no indication of a crime so far. Officials have not released surveillance images, named eyewitnesses, or phone records to the public. That is normal in a live case and reflects rules that protect minors and private medical information.
Police in Santa Rosa are asking some residents to check their yards for a woman with dementia who went missing Monday. https://t.co/uOL8gywAwX
— KTVU (@KTVU) October 13, 2026
Residents in Sonoma County and nearby cities can help by staying alert in public places and transit hubs. People should use the listed non-emergency lines, not social media comments, to send tips. Call 707-528-5222 for sightings in Santa Rosa and 707-543-3595 for investigative information. Clear, timely tips help officers confirm paths of travel and check on health needs. In these cases, steady public attention can be the difference between days of worry and a safe return.
Sources:
nypost.com, nbcbayarea.com, cbsnews.com, sfchronicle.com, yahoo.com, hindustantimes.com, missingkids.org
