California authorities are urgently searching for a 4-year-old girl after the California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert on behalf of the Los Angeles Police Department.
The alert was activated following the alleged abduction of Daleza Fregoso, a young child last seen in the early hours of Sunday, May 24, 2026, in a residential neighborhood of Los Angeles.
According to investigators, Daleza was last spotted at approximately 4 a.m. near the intersection of Alsace Avenue and Ferndale Street in Los Angeles.
The circumstances surrounding the abduction have not been fully disclosed by authorities, but police confirmed that the child was taken by a man identified as Ruben Fregoso, 40 years old. Officials have not yet stated what relationship, if any, exists between the suspect and the child.
Daleza is described as being approximately 3 feet tall and weighing around 45 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. Anyone who believes they may have seen her is urged to contact law enforcement immediately by calling 911.
What We Know About the Suspect
Ruben Fregoso is described as a 40-year-old man standing approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing around 200 pounds. He also has black hair and brown eyes.
At the time the Amber Alert was issued, investigators believed the suspect and child were traveling together in a white 2019 Land Rover Discovery bearing a California license plate.
Reports from different outlets cited slightly varying plate numbers, with some listing 9DAW716 and others 9DAW715, though authorities have urged the public to be on alert for any white Land Rover Discovery matching this general description in the Los Angeles County area.
The California Highway Patrol later confirmed in an updated notice that the vehicle in question had been located by investigators.
However, neither Ruben Fregoso nor Daleza had been found at the time of the update, meaning the search for the pair continues across the broader region.
The discovery of the vehicle without the suspect or child present has added urgency to the investigation, as authorities now work to determine where the two may have gone after abandoning or leaving the Land Rover.
Community Asked to Stay Alert
Law enforcement officials have stressed the importance of public cooperation in cases like this one. Amber Alerts are specifically designed to enlist the help of as many eyes as possible across a wide geographic area, and authorities are counting on residents across Los Angeles County and neighboring regions to report anything suspicious.
The LAPD and CHP have both urged anyone with information about the whereabouts of Daleza Fregoso or Ruben Fregoso to call 911 without delay.
No additional details regarding the motive behind the alleged abduction or a possible direction of travel have been released to the public at this stage.
Cases involving missing children are treated with the highest level of urgency by California law enforcement.
The Amber Alert system was activated swiftly in this instance, with alerts being broadcast across digital highway signs, mobile phones, and media outlets throughout the state. Investigators remain actively engaged in the search and have asked the public to remain vigilant until both individuals are located and the child is returned safely.
