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 DiDi. She may use the name Dakota Hamilton Diego. She has dimples on her cheeks and a mole on her right shoulder. Her hair may have darkened since her disappearance.
Details of Disappearance
Dakota disappeared from 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. Dakota's father stated that while he was still married to Raquel, he found out Raquel had bought tickets for herself and Dakota to travel to Raquel's native Spain. He filed for divorce. They were given joint custody of Dakota, but then Raquel took her and fled to Reus, Spain. Dakota's father was granted visitation privileges, but he claims Raquel threatened him. He hasn't seen Dakota since 1996.A felony warrant was issued for Raquel on September 5, 2001. Authorities believe she and Dakota are still 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: 5'7, 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 4 times since October 12, 2004.
Last updated May 3, 2011; distinguishing characteristics and 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
For the Lost