The Alarming Reality: Over 5,000 Native American Women Go Missing Annually in the U.S.
Every year, a staggering average of more than 5,000 Native American women vanish in the United States, as reported by the National Crime Information Center.
In Fort Worth, a family grapples with the heart-wrenching ordeal of searching for their teenage daughter who went missing a year ago. The silence of the teen's cell phone and social media has only deepened the family's anguish. Samantha Perez, the mother, makes a heartfelt plea to the public for any leads that could help locate her daughter.
"She's just like any other teenager. Spends hours in her room, glued to her phone," Perez shared.
But December 28, 2024, was far from ordinary for the family.
"I woke up the next day, and she was gone. It's been a nightmare ever since," Perez expressed.
The missing teenager, Sara Martinez, a 17-year-old high school junior, seemingly vanished into thin air.
"She hasn't even reached out to her friends to say she's okay. No messages to anyone," Perez lamented.
Surveillance footage from outside their Fort Worth residence on the night of Martinez's disappearance raised concerns for the family.
"There's a video showing a man across the street from our house on the phone at 3:21 in the morning, and her location signal goes off at 3:27," Perez revealed.
Immediately, Perez filed a missing person's report with the Fort Worth Police Department. When CBS News Texas contacted the Fort Worth Police regarding her daughter's case, a spokesperson, in an email response, stated that investigators from the missing persons unit are treating her as an adult runaway.
"She's only 17, just turned, and she's in school. I don't believe she ran away willingly," Perez contested.
Turning to a private investigator, Perez entertains the grim possibility that Martinez might have fallen victim to human trafficking.
"We suspect she might have been lured by someone online promising a better life elsewhere," Perez disclosed.
"Time is of the essence when someone goes missing. Every moment counts," emphasized Jodi Voice Yellowfish, Chair of MMIW Texas Rematriate.
Seeking help, the family reached out to MMIW Texas Rematriate, an organization dedicated to investigating and raising awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women cases. MMIW, symbolized by a red handprint, stands for "missing and murdered Indigenous women."
"No one anticipates a loved one, especially a child, to go missing. In such cases, we create flyers with our logo, always including their tribal affiliation," Yellowfish explained.
Yellowfish highlighted that Native American women are often targeted for human trafficking due to their appearance.
"Our physical features often lead to us being mistaken for other races, making us vulnerable targets for traffickers," Yellowfish elaborated.
Yellowfish pointed out the disparity in attention given to missing Indigenous women compared to white women by law enforcement and the media.
A study by Sacramento State University revealed that 57% of missing women reports in the media focus on white women.
The Sovereign Bodies Institute, which collects data on Indigenous peoples, reported that 62% of MMIW cases were never entered into missing person databases.
"I've been asked if they drink or party. Why are those the initial assumptions?" Yellowfish questioned.
"As a mother of a Native American daughter, who is also of Hispanic descent, I fear she might be overlooked because she doesn't fit the typical profile," Perez expressed. "Will she slip through the cracks? It's a terrifying thought."
Despite the challenges, the family remains hopeful that Martinez will be found safe and sound.
"We pray and refuse to let negativity consume us," Perez shared.
Perez has a heartfelt message for her daughter and anyone who might be with her.
"Just reach out. Call home. We need to know you're safe. We long to hear your voice, to remind you of our love and how much we miss you," Perez pleaded.
A $2,000 reward is being offered for any information leading to Martinez's whereabouts. Individuals with information are urged to contact Fort Worth Police at 817-392-4222 or the private investigator, Blackfish Intelligence, at 1-800-403-8024.
