The Los Angeles Police Department and the FBI are looking into the finding of a body in Oxnard that police claim fits the description of a 13-year-old kid from the San Fernando Valley who went missing.
The body was discovered by authorities in a ditch off a road close to McGrath State Beach and the Santa Clara River, at the intersection of North Harbor Boulevard and West Gonzalez Road.
According to police, the body fit the description of Oscar Omar Hernandez, a 13-year-old San Fernando Valley student at Sun Valley Magnet School.
According to the family, Oscar, who arrived in the United States from Honduras three years ago, never returned home after spending the weekend traveling by train to Lancaster to see a friend and perform odd tasks for compensation.
His family reported him missing on March 30, according to the LAPD.
When the family tried to call Oscar and the acquaintance would answer, claiming that the teenager was unable to come to the phone and that he couldn’t recall when he dropped him off at the train station to return home, they stated they sensed something was amiss.
On Thursday morning, no information was available regarding the identity of the acquaintance.
According to the teen’s mother, she wants justice for her son. “There are no words,” she told Telemundo 52, adding that she does not wish this on anyone.
She claimed that her 13-year-old son loved soccer and was a sweet guy.
Detectives, the teen’s mother, and loved ones all think the body belongs to Oscar, but they are still awaiting confirmation from the Ventura County coroner.
The LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division investigators were able to gather information that helped them identify an area of interest in Oxnard.
Authorities found the body there after working with the FBI to plan a foot sweep of the area.
“This is always a tragedy, when we find someone of this age that is deceased,” Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton with the LAPD stated. “We at the Los Angeles Police Department promise that we are going to follow every lead.”
LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton stated, “We believe that he is 13 years old and believe he is from the Foothill Division area in the San Fernando Valley.”
Investigations are still ongoing to determine the cause of death.
“I really feel bad for Oscar Omar,” classmate Ashley Cruz stated on Thursday. “He was only 13. He had a whole life ahead of him. He was very cheerful. He didn’t pick fights, nothing.”
The Sun Valley Magnet school community received the following statement from a LAUSD representative: “I am saddened to report the recent death of one of our students off campus. On behalf of our entire school community, I want to offer my deepest condolences to those who are impacted by this loss, including the student’s family, friends, and school personnel. We request that the privacy of those who have been impacted be respected during this difficult time. Please know that our entire school community offers our support.”
Students will have access to crisis counselors. The Student and Family Wellness Hotline can be reached from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 213.241.3840.
This information has been sourced from nbclosangeles.
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