Marta Pineda Mejia, a 16-year-old female from Leesburg, Florida, was last seen on October 1, 2025, in Lake County. Public reports based on information from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said Marta was last seen during the early morning hours before she left for school, and concern grew when she did not return home later that day. She was reported missing around 10:00 p.m. by her aunt, according to the sheriff’s office information cited by local news coverage.
Authorities classified her as a missing/runaway juvenile, but the public appeal made clear that locating her safely was the priority and that anyone with information was being asked to come forward immediately.
As the search began, deputies released identifying details to help the public recognize Marta. She was described as 5 feet 3 inches tall and about 115 pounds, with hazel eyes and short dyed blonde hair. Reports said she had last been seen wearing black clothing, white shoes, and carrying a black backpack. These details were shared so residents in Leesburg, the broader Lake County area, and nearby communities could remain alert for possible sightings or information that might help investigators determine where she had gone after leaving for school. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office asked anyone with information to contact Detective Parry at 352-343-2101 or Crimeline, and one public report also noted that tips could be sent to while emphasizing that phone contact was preferred for timely response.
The circumstances released publicly were limited, but the available information showed a case that began as a frightening interruption in a family’s normal routine: a teenager left for school in the morning, did not come home, and was reported missing that night. The official search effort focused on finding Marta and gathering information from anyone who might have seen her or known where she was. The investigating agency has reported that Marta Pineda Mejia was found alive, and because the exact date and circumstances of her recovery have not been publicly detailed in the available online reports, those specifics are unknown. Overall, this case centered on a 16-year-old Leesburg girl whose disappearance prompted a Lake County Sheriff’s Office public appeal after she failed to return home from school, followed by the welcome outcome that she was located alive and is no longer an active missing person.Last Seen: Oct 1, 2025
