Executive Summary
- Amber Alert Active: Authorities are searching for 3-year-old Kehlani Rogers, missing from Avondale, Arizona.
- Suspect Description: The child is believed to be with a 30-year-old non-relative female known as "Merena."
- Last Sighting: Rogers was last seen Friday night near 118th and Edgemont avenues wearing pink pajamas.
- Public Assistance: Anyone with information is urged to call Avondale Police or Silent Witness immediately.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) has issued an Amber Alert for 3-year-old Kehlani Rogers, who was reported missing from Avondale, Arizona, late Friday night. Authorities believe the child is in the company of a non-relative and may be in imminent danger.
According to the Avondale Police Department, Kehlani Rogers was last seen near 118th and Edgemont avenues around 11:30 p.m. on Friday. Investigators describe Rogers as 3 feet 5 inches tall with a thin build, brown eyes, and braided brown hair. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing pink pajamas.
Law enforcement officials state that the child is believed to be with a woman identified only as "Merena." The suspect is described as a 30-year-old female with brown hair, hazel eyes, a short stature, and a thin build. Witness reports indicate she was last seen wearing a white shirt paired with pink or purple pants. Police have emphasized that Merena is not a relative of the child.
The Avondale Police Department has stated there is reason to believe Rogers could be in danger given the circumstances of her disappearance. Local hospitals and surrounding agencies have been notified and are on alert, though the child has not yet been located. Officials urge anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Kehlani Rogers or the suspect to contact the Avondale Police Department at 623-333-7000 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS to remain anonymous.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Investigative Urgency and Public Safety
The issuance of an Amber Alert signifies that law enforcement has determined the case meets critical criteria, specifically a confirmed abduction where the child is at risk of serious bodily injury or death. In cases involving non-custodial abductions by non-relatives, the immediate dissemination of descriptive information is a primary strategic tool. The involvement of the Department of Public Safety allows for a wider coordinate grid, leveraging electronic highway signs and broadcast notifications to mobilize the public as active observers. The current focus for investigators will likely involve tracing the suspect’s movements from the point of last contact near 118th and Edgemont avenues to establish a trajectory of travel.
