Left and Center: Vega, circa 2000;
Right: Age-progression to age 14 (circa 2003)
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: August 30, 2000 from Baja, California Classification: Non-Family Abduction Date Of Birth: June 27, 1989 Age: 11 years old Height and Weight: 4'9, 61 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: Hispanic male. Brown hair, brown eyes. Vega has a large-sized scar on his right leg and an additional scar on his nose. He also has a mark or scar on his upper lip. Some agencies may refer to him as Francisco Javier Andrade. Vega is Hispanic. Clothing/Jewelry Description: A light-colored shirt, denim shorts and black tennis shoes.
Details of Disappearance
Vega was last seen riding his bicycle at approximately 8:00 p.m. on August 30, 2000 in the Mexicali area of Baja, California. Witnesses said that Vega was accompanied by Francisco Daniel Phalen Hernandez at the time of his disappearance. Hernandez's photo and vital statistics from 2000 are posted below this case summary. He is a convicted child molester. Authorities believe that Hernandez abducted Vega after telling the child he would give him video games. Neither Vega nor Hernandez has been heard from again. A felony warrant was issued for Hernandez's arrest on September 25, 2000. He and Vega may still be in the United States, or they may have traveled to Mexico.Some agencies may list Mexicali, Mexico as the location of Vega's abduction. United States authorities are handling his investigation.
Francisco Daniel Phalen Hernandez
Above: Hernandez, circa 2000
Date Of Birth: January 16, 1969 Age: 31 years old Height and Weight: 5'7, 170 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: Hispanic male. Black hair, brown eyes. Hernandez has a partially removed tattoo of a Chinese letter on the left side of his chest. He has tattoos on both of his wrists. Hernandez's right middle finger is deformed. He has narrow eyelids. Hernandez may use the following aliases: Damien Javier Jiminez, Javier Damien Jiminez, Mario Torres, Torres Mario, Damien Tapia Jiminez, Montezuma Marcos Antonio Lopez, Montezuma Lopez, Damian Jimemez, James H. Pholen, James Phalen, Javier Villasana Jr., Javier Hernandez Phalen, Hernandez Javier Phalen, Javier Phalen, Javier Hernandez, Francisco Sanchez Gonzales, Francisco Gonzales and/or Francisco Gonzalez.
Investigating Agency
Source Information
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Imperial County, California Sheriff's Office
760-339-6311
OR
Federal Bureau Of Investigation
(FBI)
San Diego, California Office
619-565-1255
The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
The Polly Klaas Foundation
Nation's Missing Children Organization
Federal Bureau Of Investigation