The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is urgently calling on the public for help in locating 16-year-old Zyla Velazquez, who has been missing for nearly a week. Authorities describe the teen’s sudden disappearance as concerning and out of character, raising fears for her safety.
Last known whereabouts of Zyla Velazquez
Zyla was last seen on the morning of Feb. 18, 2026, around 9 a.m. at her home in Norcross. Surveillance footage from her residence shows her preparing to take out a bag of trash before becoming distracted by her phone. She was then seen walking down the stairs, after which no further sightings have been reported.
Authorities have emphasized that Zyla’s sudden absence is alarming. Her mother, Nakeya Moore, expressed deep concern for her daughter, noting that Zyla has never disappeared like this before. Moore urges anyone with information to come forward immediately, hoping that her message reaches Zyla herself:
“Zyla, I love you so much. Keep praying, don’t give up, and stay strong. You have a whole army looking for you to bring you home safe.”
Physical description and possible locations
Zyla is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 125 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. Officials believe she may still be in the local area or could have traveled to surrounding cities. Law enforcement and search teams are focusing on both nearby neighborhoods and transit routes that could have been used by the teen.
Community efforts and technology partnerships
In an effort to broaden public awareness, Zyla’s poster is being featured on Ring’s Neighbors app, through a partnership with NCMEC. The initiative reaches millions of users and provides real-time community alerts that could be crucial in locating missing children…