Authorities in Los Angeles have issued an AMBER Alert for two young boys—2-year-old Dereck Rodriguez and 10-year-old Jaden Hernandez—after the children were reported abducted from their foster home in the Westlake District during the early hours of August 21, 2025.
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What Happened
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. at a residence on South Virgil Avenue, where both children had been staying under foster care. Investigators say the children were taken under suspicious circumstances, prompting an urgent search effort and the statewide alert.
Authorities have not yet released full details about the suspected abductors, but early reports suggest that the children may have been taken by individuals known to them. Police are working to confirm the identities and possible motives of those involved.
Description of the Children
Dereck Rodriguez: 2 years old, described as having short dark hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and shorts.
Jaden Hernandez: 10 years old, with dark hair and brown eyes. He was last seen in a dark hoodie and jeans.
Officials warn that both children are considered to be in potential danger given the circumstances of their disappearance.
Ongoing Investigation
LAPD detectives, in coordination with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), have activated the AMBER Alert system to notify the public across highways, electronic billboards, and mobile alerts. Authorities are urging residents of Los Angeles and surrounding counties to remain vigilant and report any information that may assist in locating the children.
“We are asking anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the Westlake area early this morning or who has any knowledge of the children’s whereabouts to please come forward,” an LAPD spokesperson said.
Community Response
News of the abduction has shaken the Westlake community, with many residents expressing concern for the safety of the children. Local organizations and neighbors have joined the search effort by sharing the children’s photos and information on social media to help widen the alert.
How to Help
Authorities urge anyone with information to immediately call 911 or contact the LAPD Missing Persons Unit. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
As the search continues, officials stress the urgency of the situation: every minute counts in child abduction cases.