KANSAS CITY, MO — Police in Kansas City, Missouri, are asking for the public’s help in finding 12-year-old Caroline Martinez, who was reported missing after she was last seen Monday near Van Brunt Boulevard and Thompson Avenue.
The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department said she was walking in an unknown direction when she disappeared from view. Officers have not said where she may have gone or whether anyone was with her at the time.
Authorities are sharing her description and possible clothing in hopes that someone will recognize her and contact police quickly.
What police say about where she was last seen
Caroline was last seen in the area of Van Brunt Boulevard and Thompson Avenue, according to KCPD. Police did not say why she was there or whether she had planned to go to a specific destination.
Her direction of travel remains unknown. That leaves investigators relying on tips from people who may have been in the area Monday and noticed a young girl walking alone.
Missing-child cases often move quickly, and officers are asking anyone who may have seen her to come forward even if the sighting seems minor or uncertain.
Description released by Kansas City police
Police described Caroline as 5 feet, 1 inch tall and 170 pounds. She has long brown hair and brown eyes, and both of her nostrils are pierced.
KCPD also said she may be wearing a black shirt, gray shorts and black sandals. That information could help someone identify her if she is seen in public or on a security camera.
Officers have not released any additional details about her condition or circumstances, but they are continuing to treat the case as a missing-person search.
How the public can help right now
Anyone with information about Caroline’s whereabouts is being asked to call 911 right away. Police also say tips can be directed to KCPD at 816-234-5043.
Even small details may matter, especially if someone saw a child matching her description near the east side of Kansas City on Monday or later in the day. Police often use these kinds of calls to build a timeline of where a missing person may have traveled.
Anyone who spots Caroline should not try to handle the situation alone if there is any concern for safety. Instead, call authorities immediately so officers can respond.
Why the clothing details matter in a search
The description of Caroline’s possible clothing gives investigators and the public a practical way to narrow down sightings. A black shirt, gray shorts and black sandals are simple details, but they can help separate a real lead from a mistaken report.
Police did not say whether those were the clothes she was wearing when she was first reported missing or whether they are only believed to be what she may have on now. Either way, the clothing details are part of the information KCPD wants shared widely.
Searches for missing children often depend on fast, accurate observation by neighbors, store workers, transit riders and drivers who may have seen someone who looked unfamiliar.
What remains unknown in the investigation
KCPD has not said why Caroline was in that area, whether there were any witnesses, or whether investigators have any indication about where she may have gone after she was last seen.
Police also have not released any additional family details. At this point, the department’s public message is focused on locating her and getting tips from anyone who might have seen her Monday or afterward.
For now, the case remains centered on a straightforward plea: if you know where Caroline Martinez is, contact police immediately.