Missing 14-Year-Old Girl from Sorrento Discovered Safe and Sound

UPDATE 11:35 a.m. Dec. 23, 2024: Ava Thompson, a 14-year-old girl from Sorrento, has been located safe and is currently on her way home. Her mother, Lisa Cruz, expressed gratitude to the community for their support, adding that Ava was last seen at Copper Sky.

Earlier this morning, concerns rose when Ava was reported missing after she left home on foot around 2:30 p.m. on December 22. Her mother provided a description, noting that Ava stands at 5-foot-4, has hazel eyes, freckles, and chin-length reddish-brown hair. She was last seen wearing a light grey pullover hoodie and black pants.

In addition to being missing, Ava was reportedly without her mood-stabilizing medication, heightening the urgency of the situation. Cruz had urged anyone with information regarding her daughter’s whereabouts to reach out to the Maricopa Police Department at 520-568-3673.

Brian, a member of the InMaricopa team since October 2020, has been immersed in multimedia roles, evolving from an intern to a beat reporter covering public safety. He graduated from Maricopa High School in 2021 and is now pursuing his studies at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, following his time at Central Arizona College.