On the morning of August 21, 2025, at approximately 1:30 a.m., ten‑year‑old Jaden Hernandez and his two‑year‑old brother, Derek Alejandro Rodriguez‑Hernandez, were reported missing after leaving their foster care home in the 300 block of South Virgil Avenue in Los Angeles’s Westlake District. Concerned foster parents believed the boys may have gone in search of their biological mother.
The California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert that morning, identifying the boys and their non‑custodial mother, Jackeline Hernandez‑Torres, age 30, as a suspect in a potential abduction. Police described her as a Hispanic female, approximately 5 feet tall, weighing 120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, last seen wearing a light‑colored hoodie and dark sweatpants. The alert initially included a description of a black 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser with Indiana license plate DFT105 as a possible vehicle involved.
Detailed descriptions were circulated to aid the search. Jaden was described as a Hispanic boy about 4 feet tall, weighing between 50 and 60 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, and last seen wearing dark clothing. Derek was described as a Hispanic boy approximately 2 feet tall, weighing about 20 pounds, with red hair and brown eyes, also last seen in dark attire. Sightings were reported near West 52nd Street and Halldale Avenue, as authorities believed the boys had been taken toward South Los Angeles, possibly to their mother’s residence.
Search efforts by the Los Angeles Police Department included ground units, K‑9 teams, air support, and canvassing of neighborhoods including the Vermont Square area. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and state agencies also participated in efforts to locate the children.
On Sunday afternoon, August 24, 2025, the Amber Alert was officially canceled after both boys were found safe. Authorities have not released details regarding the exact circumstances of their recovery or the current status of their biological mother, Jackeline Hernandez‑Torres.
The resolution of this case brings immense relief amid the heartache of days spent without them. The safe return of Jaden and Derek offers a moment of collective comfort to the community and underscores the power of rapid, compassionate response. The emotional ordeal—rooted in complex family dynamics and the fear of loss—now leaves a path forward marked by gratitude and continued care for the boys' well-being.
Law enforcement continues to handle the case with sensitivity, and the public is deeply thankful for the compassion shown by caring neighbors and the rapid mobilization of both authorities and supportive individuals. At this time, the focus remains on the boys’ safety, support, and healing.
*Last Seen: Aug 21, 2025
