Agustin Zeferino, a 24-year-old farm worker residing in Santa Maria, California, was last seen in Santa Barbara County on August 11, 2014, and has not been heard from since. At the time of his disappearance, Zeferino was undergoing a crucial treatment regimen for drug-resistant tuberculosis, a serious and contagious illness. This treatment required him to take medication for a period of 18 to 24 months to be cured.
The circumstances surrounding Zeferino's disappearance are uniquely tied to his medical condition. Having discontinued his treatment, health officials grew concerned for both his well-being and the safety of the public. Although he was reportedly not contagious at the time he went missing, his failure to continue treatment would cause him to become infectious again. This posed a significant public health risk, as drug-resistant tuberculosis can be spread through the air.
In response to his disappearance and the potential health threat, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department issued a health alert on August 22, 2014, eleven days after he was last seen. Authorities also issued a warrant for his arrest to ensure he could be placed back into treatment. Officials warned the public not to approach Zeferino if he was sighted, but instead to contact 911 immediately due to the contagious nature of his illness.
Agustin Zeferino is described as a Hispanic male, standing 5 feet tall and weighing approximately 120 pounds. He was known to be a farm worker and was possibly a migrant. Despite the public health alerts and the arrest warrant, his whereabouts remain unknown, and there has been no sign of him since his disappearance in August 2014. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department is the investigating agency for his case.
Last Seen: Aug 11, 2014
