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Case Description    (LOCATED)

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP141965) and 1 other source
On a spring day in Dallas, Texas, the life of a family was changed when 14-year-old Leslie Cortez was reported missing on April 8, 2025. A Hispanic female with black hair and brown eyes, she was a young teenager in the midst of her formative years. At approximately 5 feet tall and weighing around 143 pounds, her absence created a void filled with concern and questions for those who knew her. The day she was last seen, she was dressed in all black, wearing pants, a shirt, a sweater, and shoes, an ordinary detail that became a crucial piece of information in the efforts to find her. The Dallas Police Department was tasked with the investigation into her disappearance, a responsibility that carries the weight of a family's hope and a community's concern.

The days following Leslie's disappearance were marked by uncertainty. The Dallas Police Department, with Investigator Damien Lookenbill assigned to the case, began the methodical process of searching for the missing teen. Her case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System on April 13, 2025, broadening the scope of the search and alerting a national network to her situation. Details about the specific circumstances leading up to her disappearance were not widely publicized, leaving a community to wonder what could have led to a 14-year-old girl vanishing. The public was urged to come forward with any information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, that could help locate Leslie and bring her home safely.

In a welcome turn of events, official reports later confirmed that Leslie Cortez had been found alive. The profound sense of relief that comes with such news was undoubtedly felt by her family and all those involved in the search. Specific details regarding the circumstances of her recovery and the exact date she was located have not been made public. The resolution of her case marks the end of a difficult chapter, closing the investigation that began with her disappearance. This case serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of safety and the importance of community vigilance in the face of a child going missing, while also offering a hopeful outcome to a story that began with deep concern.

Last Seen: Apr 8, 2025

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