Missing Moreno Valley Teen Sought

Moreno Valley - A 17-year-old Moreno Valley girl who went missing on her way home from summer school may have been taken by force, eliciting pleas from her family today for her safe return.

"We want her back. We miss her, and we want her home safe," said Sonja Lopez, whose sister, Norma, has been the subject of an intense search involving Riverside County sheriff's personnel and others since around 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

"If you're watching this, Norma, please call us," Sonja pleaded tearfully during a news conference this afternoon at the sheriff's Moreno Valley station. "We're not going to be mad at you or anything."

Norma Lopez was reported missing by family members when they couldn't locate her after she left Valley View High School, where she attended a summer class between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Thursday, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

"They looked in a dirt field and along a trail that she normally walks (as a shortcut home)," Sgt. Joe Borja said, referring to a rural area behind the family's residence in the 27300 block of Cottonwood Avenue, near Moreno Beach Drive.

"We found property belonging to her. There were indications of a possible struggle that may have occurred ... We've been working non-stop since she was reported missing," Borja said.

According to the sergeant, a green, late-model sport utility vehicle was seen speeding from the area, and authorities would like to know who it was.

"We're not saying those persons are wanted for anything," Borja said. "We would like them to contact us so we can exclude them. They may also be able to provide very valuable information."

Borja said the FBI and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children are involved in the search.

"Norma, by all accounts, is a very good daughter," the sergeant said. "She attends school regularly. She's never been in trouble. She comes from a very good background. She's never run away in the past. If we believed she ran away, we wouldn't be here today."

Deputies checked local retail outlets and hillsides around the Cottonwood Avenue address to try to locate the girl. An air search turned up no clues.

Norma is about 5 feet 7 inches and 110 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black and white horizontal stripe, sleeveless shirt, "skinny" jeans and black shoes, according to the sheriff's department.

Anyone with information was urged to call the sheriff's dispatch center at (951) 776-1099, or a tip line, (877) 242-4345.

"We're looking for any leads, any information on the whereabouts of Norma," said Borja.