In the second half of 2023, the number of missing kids and teens has increased in an abnormal amount in Kern County. Since August 2023, there have been approximately 14 still ongoing searches for teens aging from 12 to 17.
Most recently, the Bakersfield Police Department has claimed a 14-year-old boy has gone missing. They ask residents to call if they have any information regarding the boy because he has never had a history of going missing or running away before.
Angelique Campos, a current freshman at Ridgeview High School claims she was not aware of the rising missing teen cases recently. While it’s only been two years since Campos had moved to Kern County, she believes Bakersfield isn’t the type of town she would consider to be the safest. She expresses, “Me and my family are very lucky to not have anybody in these cases or know anybody who’s fallen a victim to these tragic situations.” Hoping the urgency of these cases takes notice of the police, Campos expresses some ideas she has for helping, “I think many people here in Kern County should be doing all we can. Spreading awareness through social media, the news, and our neighborhoods is a good way to start. Sending support to the affected families is a way we can help more than law enforcement can.” Campos believed that the police could be doing more and stated, “Alongside the people of Kern County, they should be working with news outlets to spread more awareness and more information for people to keep a look out for. They should have a more accessible missing persons list that includes as much information as possible.” Quickly, Campos sends support to the families by expressing, “I send love and prayers to the affected families and hope that not only their family members are brought home but they eventually find confidence in the safety of Kern County again.”
Jiana Aerial Invina, another current freshman at Ridgeview High School claims she has noticed the abnormal number of missing teen cases in Kern County. She confesses she’s “fortunately never known someone who has been in a situation like this.” Invina says she wants to find a way to help alongside the police and their investigation. She claims the best way for people of Kern County to help is by, “Reach out to all local news stations and continuously make them report the allowed information so people can keep a lookout for.” Invina claims she hopes the police can take these cases seriously and help make Kern County a safer place for kids her age.
Maria Arellano, a long-time resident of Kern County claims she had noticed how many missing teens have been reported in the past few months. Arellano as a mom expresses her concern, “It’s almost concerning and scary as a mom right now not really knowing why or what is going on with all these kids. I feel more precautious about my kids now and how they spend their time outside or away from me.” As a mom, Arellano believes, “I think parents and schools should be teaching these kids how to be safe and react if confronted by someone who seems no good; I feel like a lot of these teenagers don’t know how to defend themselves correctly.” Arellano believes the communities can only do so much but trust law enforcement to take care of the investigations. Arellano expresses deep empathy for the affected families as she could not imagine being in that situation, “As a mom I just can’t imagine what it feels like to not know if your kid is safe or even where they are; I hope all the affected families find support within their social circle and eventually have their kids home.”
