Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Four-year-old Missing in Los Angeles

Aired August 13, 2002 - 09:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: "Up Front" this morning, California has another Amber Alert going on, another little girl vanishes. Four- year-old Jessica Cortez was actually with her family in Echo Park in Los Angeles on Sunday, and then she disappeared. Police have a description of a man they believe may have taken Jessica.
CNN's James Hattori is standing by now with a live report from that park. Good morning, James.

JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula. Was 4- year-old Jessica Cortez kidnapped or possibly drowned? Police have looked at both possibilities. Even as they continue to search for a man last seen with Jessica here at Echo Park. She disappeared Sunday evening here in Echo Park, which is just northeast of downtown Los Angeles. Police initially thought she had been kidnapped, but then searched the lake here after her brother said she had been in the water. But last night, investigators were leaning again toward the kidnapping after talking with witnesses who saw Jessica with a strange man carrying a dog, a Chihuahua. Police have issued a composite sketch. The man is described as either African-American or Hispanic, 20 to 25 years old, 5-foot-8 to 6-foot tall, with a tattoo of a cross on his left leg.

Last night, neighbors in the largely Hispanic neighbored gathered for a vigil. Jessica's mother pleaded for her daughter's safe return. And this morning, several teddy bears and burning candles remain in Echo Park. There are many high hopes that Jessica will be returned safe. Police are expected to give a briefing to reporters within a couple of hours to update us on the search. There are also expected to continue searching the lake -- Paula.

ZAHN: I was looking at that sketch and reminded of how experts were saying how accurately the little girl got descriptions of the man who was accused of kidnapping and ultimately murdering little Samantha Runnion. What are investigators saying this time around? Do they think their tips are pretty accurate?

HATTORI: Well, I think they've had a couple of days to look at this for now, and I think we'll hear more in an update in a couple of hours. But they are still canvassing the area. I will tell you one thing, there is a little bit of a miscommunication, because this is a largely Hispanic neighborhood. In fact, there is a Spanish reporter -- Spanish television is covering this very widely. They distributed leaflets in the area. Unfortunately, they sent them out in English. They're trying to correct that now -- Paula.

ZAHN: Boy, I hope they correct that quickly, because we know how critical these early hours are in these investigations. James Hattori, thanks so much for that report.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com