Found Deceased VA - Juan Mejia Acevedo, 12, Endangered, Abducted by unknown person, last seen 9am in 200 block Mica Ave, Virginia Beach, 24 Jan 2025

[daybreaking]

"When he didn’t come home, at approximately 9 p.m., they contacted VBPD. While officers were searching for Juan, the family took to Facebook Live to implore their friends and family to help find Juan. While on Facebook Live, the family started receiving ransom requests through WhatsApp, which led VBPD to treat the case as an abduction."

Based on the ransom requests coming in after the family publicized that he's missing, and that it appears that he went missing from an apartment complex (presumably not from a wealthy family), I would be beyond shocked if this was a kidnapping for money.

Hopefully they can trace and prosecute the trolls who made the WhatApp calls.

 

[LovesPeace2]

Oh geez praying for them

 

[imstilla.grandma]

And while police said they do not believe this to be a recovery missing — meaning that they believe Acevedo is still alive — they have also deployed marine units to search nearby lakes and ponds.

'Ransom requests' prompt abduction investigation for Virginia Beach boy; massive search continues

Virginia Beach police have deployed a massive search effort involving bloodhounds, security footage, drones, helicopters, and mounted patrols, the family of Juan Sebastian Mejia Acevedo.

www.wtkr.com

The local Hispanic Citizens Police Academy Alumni are also helping talk to neighbors and translate if necessary.

An anonymous digital evidence portal has been created for people to submit any photos or videos that may help in the search for Juan

AMBER Alert: Virginia Beach police deploy drones, bloodhounds, helicopters in search for missing 12-year-old boy

An AMBER Alert remains active for Juan Sebastian Mejia Acevedo.

www.13newsnow.com

 

[truthfinder2019]

VBPD has created an anonymous digital evidence portal where people can upload photos and videos about this case at the VBPD Evidence Submission Portal.

https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/virginia-beach-police-enlist-federal-help-to-locate-missing-12-year-old-boy/

 

[tlcya]

true abduction for money/ransom are quite rare IMO. I am hopeful that the ransom messages were not real ie. they were from internet trolls being cruel and that Juan is not in the hands of some kidnapper and he will be located safe very soon.

 

[Bigditch]

I hope they combed the hotel nearby.

 

[DS2021]

I used to moderate a massive unsolved crime group. I had to personally report one of these sick scammers to LE

 

[DS2021]

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) | Scammers Target Families Who Post Missing Persons on Social Media

 

[Knox]

"When he didn’t come home, at approximately 9 p.m., they contacted VBPD. While officers were searching for Juan, the family took to Facebook Live to implore their friends and family to help find Juan. While on Facebook Live, the family started receiving ransom requests through WhatsApp, which led VBPD to treat the case as an abduction."

Based on the ransom requests coming in after the family publicized that he's missing, and that it appears that he went missing from an apartment complex (presumably not from a wealthy family), I would be beyond shocked if this was a kidnapping for money.

Hopefully they can trace and prosecute the trolls who made the WhatApp calls.

Unbelievably cruel, who in God's name would consider doing this? Oh wait, the same subhumans who made the terrible political comments on the AA news story.

 

[swanniee11]

No, this isn’t new. I saw the Facebook live on Friday night. The woman who was doing the live said she was the mom’s coworker.

Any MSM to confirm this?

 

[KooshBall]

Scammers often target families of missing children so I am surprised that LE is calling this an abduction based on a ransom request. Unless the request showed a current pic of Juan, maybe. I assumed LE saw the abduction on video but it doesn't sound like they have that.

 

[Pseudonymph]

I hope they combed the hotel nearby.

There are five or six hotels in the immediate vicinity of his house and several more less than a mile away.

 

[PommyMommy]

JAN 26, 2025

Virginia Beach police say evidence from the community is critical in the search for 12-year-old Juan Acevedo

Juan Sebastian Mejia Acevedo, 12, of Virginia Beach, remains missing as police urge people with information to come forward.

www.13newsnow.com

(Video)

A woman who lives in the neighborhood checked her ring camera and said at about 2pm on the day of the abduction, Juan was seen on her camera. She sent the video to police.

 

[Knox]

JAN 26, 2025

Virginia Beach police say evidence from the community is critical in the search for 12-year-old Juan Acevedo

Juan Sebastian Mejia Acevedo, 12, of Virginia Beach, remains missing as police urge people with information to come forward.

www.13newsnow.com

(Video)

A woman who lives in the neighborhood checked her ring camera and said at about 2pm on the day of the abduction, Juan was seen on her camera. She sent the video to police.

I hope it's helpful to LE!!

 

[LadyL]

this is really scary
I wonder if the lady saw something suspicious

 

[truthfinder2019]

For once, from the above last news report, at least it seems he was dressed as in the photo , it should help recognizing him more easily

 

[nao]

Moo... government immigrant sweep maybe?

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Moo... government immigrant sweep maybe?

Responding to online speculation, police also said they have talked to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and confirmed Juan is not in their custody.

AMBER Alert: Virginia Beach police deploy drones, bloodhounds, helicopters in search for missing 12-year-old boy

An AMBER Alert remains active for Juan Sebastian Mejia Acevedo.

www.13newsnow.com

 

[Unalienable Rights]

https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/missing-12-year-old-childs-mom-reveals-he-never-made-it-to-friends-house/

*****
The boy’s mother told 10 On Your Side that her son never reached his friend’s house on the Friday he disappeared. She said she had given him permission to visit a friend’s home to work on homework between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., but he never made it there.

*****
Jenni went on Facebook Live to get the word out to see if friends or family could help. That’s when several ransom requests came in.

“They made me go to a nearby Walmart and asked for money. I did not give the full amount, just part of it,” said Acevedo.

Juan’s mother sent $500, and they then demanded $10,000, and she realized she was getting scammed.

*****
More at link.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Oh no, I hope LE can find the scammers and have them arrested if they are in the U.S.

Has it been said whether he has a cell phone with him?