A sense of concern grew in Santa Rosa, California, in the fall of 2026 when 13-year-old Deanna Mendoza Pfoutz was reported missing on October 1. Described as a Hispanic female, standing 4 feet 11 inches tall and weighing about 120 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes, her disappearance sparked an urgent search. When she was last seen, Deanna was wearing a gray t-shirt, black pajama pants, black shoes, and was carrying a black backpack. The initial days of her being missing were filled with uncertainty for her family and community as they awaited any news of her whereabouts.
The investigation soon revealed that Deanna was likely not alone. Authorities announced they believed she was traveling with 19-year-old Jaden Wilson, who was reported missing by his family just days after Deanna. Jaden was last seen by his family on October 2.
Wilson is described as a Black male, about 5 feet 4 inches tall and 120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes; he was last seen in a black sweatshirt and black pants. Concerns for the pair were heightened because Wilson has an unspecified medical condition that requires treatment, causing police to be worried for his well-being.
While authorities have stated that there was no initial indication that either teen was a victim of a crime, the search for them has been widespread. The two were reportedly seen together in Petaluma on October 4 and again in Santa Rosa the following day. The Santa Rosa Police Department's Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Team, which handles missing juvenile cases, took on the investigation, and by mid-November, community search efforts were also underway to help locate the missing teens. The case is that of a young teenage girl who disappeared from her home, believed to be in the company of a young adult man, which has prompted a sustained effort by law enforcement and the public to ensure their safe return.Last Seen: Nov 1, 2026
