Yashima disappeared from Los Angeles, California on July 2, 2009. She was in foster care at the time of her disappearance and her biological mother, Duana Byrd, had supervised visitation. On the afternoon of July 2, during a supervised visit in the vicinity of 25th and San Pedro Streets, Byrd grabbed Yashima away from the supervising social worker and fled. Authorities believe she took the child directly to the Los Angeles International Airport.

Byrd's date of birth is January 5, 1978, making her 31 years old at the time. She is described as African-American, 5'10 tall and 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Photographs of her are unavailable. Yashima's whereabouts are unknown and her case remains unsolved.