Argentine arrested in Buenos Aires over disappearance of teenager in Paysandú
A 37-year-old man was arrested in Campana, Buenos Aires Province, in connection with the case of a 15-year-old girl who went missing in Paysandú.
Argentine arrested in Campana following discovery of missing teenager in Uruguay
A 37-year-old Argentine citizen was detained in Campana, Buenos Aires Province, in the case of the 15-year-old girl who had gone missing in Paysandú on Friday and was located in Argentina on Sunday, according to a statement from the Ministry of the Interior to subrayado.com.uy.
The arrest was made during a raid in that Buenos Aires locality. The man remains in custody on Argentine territory.
The Ministry of the Interior confirmed that the girl was found "in good condition". Hours earlier, the authorities had announced her location in the neighbouring country.
Binational alerts activated
On Saturday, the Amber Alert was activated in Uruguay, and cooperation was sought from Argentine authorities. On Sunday, Argentina issued its own Sofía Alert. A few hours later, confirmation of the discovery arrived.
The Amber Alert Uruguay was created by law 20.381 of 25 September 2024 and came into effect on 15 July 2026. Its aim is "to communicate immediately and efficiently the absence of children and adolescents in order to locate them in the shortest possible time and protect their life and physical, psychological and moral integrity".
The alert is activated when the missing person is a minor or when it can be presumed that a criminal or violent act was involved in the disappearance that puts them in danger.
How the search system works
The protocol establishes that, once a report is received, the Missing Persons Department of the National Police shall intervene immediately—without waiting for any period of time to pass. The full name, ID number, age, sex, time and location of last sighting, physical characteristics and distinguishing marks are gathered, along with an up-to-date photograph.
With this information, the Public Prosecution Service requests authorisation from the competent Specialised Family Court to issue a national alert directed to mass media outlets, telephone operators, social networks, public advertising and transit points such as ports, airports, toll booths and border crossings.
During the first 24 hours, the alert is issued every 60 minutes with the image and details of the minor. If after 48 hours the child or adolescent has not been located, the family may provide genetic material through DNA for registration by the Scientific Police.
The system is coordinated by the Ministry of the Interior through the Missing Persons Registry and Search Department of the General Directorate for the Fight Against Organised Crime and Interpol, in coordination with the Public Prosecution Office, the Judiciary, the Institute for Children and Adolescents of Uruguay (INAU) and the National Emergency System (Sinae).
Source: Google News UY — Crime