Yasmin Gonzalez Benitez Found Safe in Mexico After Leaving 4-Year-Old Daughter with Roommate, Authorities Say She Vanished ‘Voluntarily’

A 21-year-old California mother who was reported missing after leaving her 4-year-old daughter in the care of a roommate has been found safe in Mexico, authorities confirmed Tuesday.

Yasmin Gonzalez Benitez, a Santa Ana resident, was last seen on March 15 when she told her roommate she was taking a short trip to Tijuana to visit family and would return later that evening. She never came back and failed to answer repeated calls.

According to the Santa Ana Police Department, Benitez’s disappearance appeared suspicious at the time because it was out of character for the young mother, who routinely ensured her daughter was cared for and attended preschool.

“She would come home. She would work, but she always had someone in the care of her daughter. She never left for more than a couple of days with the daughter, so this is very suspicious to us,” said Santa Ana Police Officer Natalie Garcia.

With authorities unable to locate her, Benitez’s 4-year-old daughter was placed in the custody of Child Protective Services, where she remains as of Tuesday.

Police made multiple attempts to contact Benitez’s family, including her mother and brother, but were unable to obtain information to help locate her. Officer Garcia described the family as “very uncooperative” during the investigation.

On Tuesday, March 31, the Santa Ana Police Department confirmed that Benitez was “voluntarily in Mexico.” No further details regarding her intentions or plans to return to the United States were provided.

The department continues to monitor the situation and encourages anyone with information related to Benitez or her daughter’s welfare to contact Santa Ana authorities.