Luis Encarnacion, age 7, and his sister Mariel, age 9, were last seen on September 11, 2011, in Arvin, California. They lived with their mother, Mariela Mendizabal, at the time. On the night of their disappearance, their mother was found murdered in their home, having been fatally stabbed in the neck. Authorities believe that their father, Maico "Michael" Lopez, abducted both children after committing the crime.
Lopez had recently separated from Mariela, and he had a history of instability, including threats of self-harm. Witnesses reported seeing Lopez and the children on public transportation in Los Angeles the day after the murder. It is believed that Lopez fled with the children to Mexico. As a result, a federal warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued against him. Despite ongoing efforts, Luis and Mariel have not been located, and their father remains a fugitive.
The case remains open, and authorities continue to seek any information that could lead to the discovery of Luis, Mariel, and their father. The FBI is actively involved, offering a reward for tips that might help resolve the case.
Last Seen: Sep 11, 2011
