Missing 4 Year Old

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, December 22, 1999
Central Area Detectives are requesting the public’s assistance in locating Diana Martinez, a four year old female Hispanic who was reported missing from the downtown area on Monday, December 20, 1999 by her mother.

Martinez is described as a female, Hispanic, brown hair in a pony tail, brown eyes, 3’5" tall, 45 pounds, 4 years of age, wearing a pink jacket over a white t-shirt, multi-colored shorts and black slippers.

On December 20, 1999 at approximately 2:00 P.M., the subject’s mother, Rosa Maria Chavez, entrusted the custody of her daughter to Jose Fabian Monteverde at 4th and Los Angeles Street in Central Area while she worked from her vending cart at the location. When Monteverde failed to return with her child, Chavez contacted police. Chavez informed police that she has only known Monteverde for a short time. Montverde hangs out in the area of 4th and Los Angeles Street and has done odd jobs for Chavez in the past.

The location of Jose Fabian Monteverde and Diana Martinez is unknown. Jose Monteverde is described as a male Hispanic, short black hair that is longer and curly in the back, brown eyes, 6’1" tall, 150 pounds, 28 years of age, wearing a green jacket, brown pants and a blue baseball cap. Monteverde is also known to wear thick prescription glasses and has braces or silver on this teeth. He also uses the name Jose Fabian Ramirez Monteverde.

The Los Angeles Police Department is requesting public assistance in locating Diana Martinez and Jose Fabian Ramirez Monteverde. All information should be directed to Detective Dennis Moeller, Central Area Community Police Station at 213-485-2671 during normal business hours. After hours or weekends, the Central Area Watch Commander can be contacted at 213-485-3294.

**UPDATE**

On Tuesday, December 21, 1999 at approximately 9:00 AM, LAPD Rampart officers received an anonymous tip that Monteverde and the missing child had been seen in the area of Sanborn and Fountain Avenue. Officers responded to the area and observed Monteverde pushing the missing child in a shopping cart.

Central Area Detectives conducted the investigation and placed Monteverde under arrest for Child Molestation and booked him at Jail Division. Bail is set at $1,000,000.00.

For further information, please contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.

For Release 11:50 am PST
December 22, 1999