The Miami Police Department is reaching out to the public for assistance in locating Llarixa N. Pagoada, an 11-year-old girl who vanished in Little Havana on the evening of Sunday, November 8th.
She was last spotted around 11:00 p.m. at 869 Northwest First Street, according to the official search notice released on November 9th by the Special Victims Unit of the Miami Police Department.
Llarixa is described as being approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing about 200 pounds, and having brown eyes. The police notice, which includes a photograph to aid in identification, notes that her clothing at the time of disappearance is unknown.
The Special Victims Unit is handling the case and has asked for the community's help in finding the child. Individuals with any information about her whereabouts are urged to contact Detective K. Brito or any on-duty detective at this specialized unit by calling 305-603-6300.
The case is registered under number 261109-0066820, as per the official document publicly shared by Miami Police.
As of the time of writing, Llarixa remains missing, and the police have not released any new information regarding her location or details about the incident. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance have not been made public, and no additional information about her last known conditions has been provided.
Efforts to Locate Missing Children in Florida
Florida follows specific protocols and conducts operations aimed at finding missing children, with participation from various state and local law enforcement agencies. In August, the "Operation Statewide Shield" led to the recovery of 163 children across the state, including 41 in the Miami metropolitan area.
This operation was among the recent efforts by Florida authorities to locate children and teenagers reported missing or in risky situations. In another recent instance, two teenagers reported missing in the Miami area were found alive in early November.
Nationwide Statistics on Missing Children
On a national level, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) handled 29,568 cases of missing children during 2024, according to their published statistics. The data shows that 91% of the minors involved in these cases were successfully recovered.
The NCMEC also reported that over 27,000 of the cases involved minors classified as runaways in risky situations, a category that includes children and teens who leave their homes or places of residence and may face exploitation.
The organization estimates that about one in seven missing minors in this category likely fell victim to child trafficking.
Authorities encourage anyone with information on Llarixa's whereabouts to contact the Special Victims Unit of the Miami Police Department at 305-603-6300.
Common Questions About Missing Children Cases
What should you do if you see a missing child?
If you see a child who appears to be missing, contact local law enforcement immediately and provide as much detail as possible about the child's appearance and location.
How are missing children cases typically handled in the United States?
Missing children cases in the U.S. are managed by local and state law enforcement agencies, often with the assistance of national organizations like the NCMEC. These entities work together to disseminate information, conduct searches, and utilize technology to locate missing children.
What are some signs that a child might be in a risky situation?
Signs of a child in a risky situation may include sudden changes in behavior, unexplained injuries, a lack of supervision, or associations with potentially harmful individuals. It's important to report any suspicions to authorities.