Left: Dakota, circa 1996;
Center: Dakota, September 2003 (six years after her abduction)
Right: Dakota, June 2004 (seven years after her abduction)
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: December 8, 1996 from Santa Barbara, California Classification: Family Abduction Date of Birth: October 31, 1995 Age: 1 year old Height and Weight: 3'0, 35 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Light brown hair, brown eyes. Dakota's nicknames are Cody and Dee Dee. She may use the name Dakota Hamilton Diego.
Details of Disappearance
Dakota was last seen in Santa Barbara, California on December 8, 1996. She was abducted by her non-custodial mother, Raquel Diego Lopez Hamilton. Raquel's photograph and vital statistics are posted below this case summary. A felony warrant was issued for her on September 5, 2001. Raquel and Dakota are believed to have traveled to Raquel's native Spain; Dakota's family members believe they are in Reus, Spain. The child's case remains unsolved.
Raquel Diego Lopez Hamilton
Above Images: Raquel Diego Lopez Hamilton
Date of Birth: May 7, 1975
Age: 21 years old
Height and Weight: 5'2 - 5'7, 120 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Brown hair, brown eyes. Raquel may use the last names Lopez and/or Diego. She has a tattoo of flowers on her left ankle.
Investigating Agency
Source Information
Updated 2 times since October 12, 2004.
Last updated October 30, 2005; details of disappearance updated.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office
805-568-2300
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
California Attorney General's Office
The Doe Network