In the autumn of 2011, a life was forever altered in Tempe, Arizona, when one-year-old Diego Hernandez disappeared on November 18th. At the time he went missing, the young Hispanic boy had brown hair that was shaved and brown eyes. He was just an infant, standing about two feet, four inches tall and weighing around 23 pounds. The circumstances surrounding Diego's disappearance point to a heartbreaking family situation, as authorities believe he was taken by his non-custodial father.
This event marked the beginning of a long and painful search for a child taken from his home.
The investigation into Diego's whereabouts has been active for many years, led by the Tempe Police Department. The prevailing theory held by law enforcement is that Diego was taken by his father, Arby Uriel Pat-Herrera. It is strongly suspected that the two may have left the country, with a possible destination being Cancun in Quintana Roo, Mexico. This international aspect adds significant complexity to the search effort. In an attempt to generate new leads as years passed, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has released age-progressed photos showing what Diego might look like as he grows older.
The case of Diego Hernandez is classified as a family abduction. The core of the case is the belief that the infant was taken by his father, Arby Pat-Herrera, with whom he may be in Mexico. Despite the passage of time, law enforcement and child advocacy organizations continue to seek information that might lead to Diego's recovery. The hope remains that someone, somewhere will recognize Diego from his photos and provide the crucial information needed to resolve this long-standing and distressing case.Last Seen: Nov 18, 2011
