A YOUNG girl who was kidnapped almost six years ago was found across the country in a shocking turn of events.

The child, who was five years old when she was taken in California, was located in North Carolina this week, investigators say.NINTCHDBPICT001065825528
The girl is now 11 years oldCredit: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
 

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It is not entirely clear how she ended up over 2,000 miles away from where she had gone missingCredit: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Now 11 years old, the girl was discovered in a school under a fake name, police said in a press release.

“With the information provided to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were able to determine that the child was enrolled in Washington County Schools under an alias name,” the statement read.

“After working in combination with multiple agencies from NC to California the child was taken into protective custody, and is SAFE!”

Although her name was not released by police, multiple reports identified the girl as Karen Rojas.

“These are very rare occurrences to have such a positive outcome on such an old case as this, but it reminds us that through hard work, and dedication, and cooperation,” the sheriff’s office said.

Map showing Karen Rojas's 2,659-mile journey from Duarte, California to Washington County, North Carolina, where she was found.
The girl was found across the country
“Stories with positive outcomes like these can happen.”

Rojas had been missing since June 2, 2020, from Duarte, California.

She was found over 2,600 miles away in Washington County, North Carolina.

“At the time, DCFS personnel had been conducting an investigation involving the child,” the release, quoted by KTLA, said.

“According to authorities, the child’s mother – who had custody – stopped communicating with DCFS personnel and was believed to have taken the child.”

Police confirmed that Rojas had been “safely recovered” and was now in protective custody.