Police say a 13-year-old and a 19-year-old were seen together twice, then vanished.
Story Snapshot
- Santa Rosa police opened two missing-person cases with separate dates and numbers.
- Witnesses reported seeing the pair together in Petaluma and Santa Rosa on October 4–5.
- Officers shared names, ages, and physical details to speed public tips.
- Police flagged a medical treatment need for the 19-year-old, adding urgency.
Two Missing Cases, One Trail
Santa Rosa officers listed two people as missing days apart and tied them to the same trail. Police records reported Deanna Mendoza Pfoutz, 13, missing on October 1, and Jaden Wilson, 19, missing on October 5, with separate case numbers recorded for each. Investigators say the pair were seen together in Petaluma on October 4 and later in Santa Rosa on October 5, which turned two missing entries into a linked search. Officers described both by name and size to sharpen the lookout.
Police said Wilson needs medical treatment and asked the public to act fast if they spot him. The department urged anyone who sees them in Santa Rosa to call the local non-emergency dispatch and to share any other case details with investigators. That request matters. Timely tips can cut search time, which protects health and safety. Officers also said they had no indication either person was the victim of a crime at the time of the alert.
What Police Say They Know So Far
Reports place both individuals together twice within 48 hours, which shaped the search area and tone. Coverage from multiple outlets repeated the same dates, names, and city sightings from police statements, which suggests a stable core of facts and a shared public message. The reported appearances tied Petaluma on Sunday to Santa Rosa on Monday, a short jump on Highway 101. That pattern tells neighbors where to watch and explains why the appeal focused on those corridors.
Descriptions help citizens turn a quick glance into a solid lead. Police and media named Deanna, age 13, about 4 feet 11 inches and 120 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. They named Wilson, age 19, about 5 feet 4 inches and 120 pounds. Clear details give store clerks, bus drivers, and park staff the basics to make the right call. Officers aimed the request at everyday people who move around more than patrol cars do and see what routine misses.
Why Fast Public Alerts Work
National missing-person data show why law enforcement moves fast and wide. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported 533,936 missing-person entries in 2024, with a tiny share tied to stranger abductions and the vast majority resolved without a headline crime. The point is simple: a missing report is a welfare and locating status, and early, public calls can be the hinge between worry and recovery. That is why agencies push names and routes the same day.
Santa Rosa police are asking for help locating a missing 13-year-old girl and a 19-year-old man believed to be traveling together. https://t.co/Gn6Xx8uB45
— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) October 10, 2026
Recovery numbers back up the tactic. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention reported that in 2024, 91 percent of the children reported missing to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children were recovered safely. The National Center handled 29,568 cases that year, with a high rate of safe returns. These results align with common sense and conservative values: empower families, equip police, and enlist the public early to bring kids home.
How To Help Without Hurting The Search
Call before you post. Share sightings with police dispatch and investigators first, then let the department set the public pace. Give exact times, locations, and what they wore. Note travel direction, bus lines, or store names. Avoid guessing games on social media. Well-aimed tips get officers to the right camera, clerk, or corner faster. That speed matters in any case with a medical need, or with a young teen away from family supports.
Sources:
nypost.com, nbcbayarea.com, cbsnews.com, sfchronicle.com, yahoo.com, hindustantimes.com, missingkids.org
