Yuma, December 18, 2025
A statewide Turquoise Alert has been activated for 17-year-old Maria Acedo, an Indigenous teen reported missing from Yuma. Authorities believe she may be in danger and are seeking public assistance to locate her. Acedo was last seen leaving Cibola High School and descriptions suggest she may have traveled to other states. The Turquoise Alert system, designed for missing individuals under 65 in Arizona, was launched to address high rates of missing Indigenous people.
Yuma: Statewide Turquoise Alert Issued for Missing 17-Year-Old Indigenous Teen Maria Acedo
Yuma, Arizona – A statewide Turquoise Alert has been issued for 17-year-old Maria Acedo, an Indigenous teen who has been missing from Yuma since December 2. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) activated the alert on Wednesday, December 17, seeking urgent public assistance in locating the endangered youth. Acedo was last seen departing Cibola High School and is believed to be in danger.
Authorities describe Maria Acedo as 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 256 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. When she was last observed, she was wearing a black sweater and white pajama pants, and carrying a black backpack. Investigations suggest she may have traveled to other states, with potential destinations including Los Angeles, New York, or Texas. There has been no contact from Maria Acedo since her disappearance.
Understanding the Turquoise Alert System
The Turquoise Alert is a crucial statewide notification system in Arizona, specifically designed to aid in the swift recovery of missing and endangered individuals under the age of 65, including members of tribal communities. This system was officially launched on July 10, 2025, by Governor Katie Hobbs, following bipartisan legislation that codified the alert into law in May 2025. It is also widely known as “Emily’s Law”, honoring the memory of San Carlos Apache tribal member Emily Pike, whose case highlighted the critical need for expanded missing persons tools, particularly within Indigenous communities.
The purpose of the Turquoise Alert is to bridge existing gaps in missing person alerts, distinguishing itself from Amber Alerts, which focus on child abductions, and SAFE Alerts (formerly Silver Alerts), which are for seniors or individuals with cognitive or developmental disabilities. The system was developed to address the disproportionately high rates of missing Indigenous people, providing a dedicated mechanism for public notification when such cases arise. Arizona is the fifth state in the nation to implement an Indigenous alert system.
Activation Criteria for a Turquoise Alert
For a Turquoise Alert to be activated, specific criteria, as prescribed by A.R.S. 41-1728.01, must be met:
- The missing person must be under 65 years of age.
- The investigating law enforcement agency must have exhausted all available local resources. This includes actions such as entering the missing person report into NCIC, issuing BOLO’s, APB’s, and flyers with pictures.
- The person must have gone missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances, with a determination that they are not solely a runaway, unless aggravating factors indicate endangerment.
- There must be a belief that the missing person is in danger, is in the company of a potentially dangerous person, or that other factors indicate they may be in peril.
- Sufficient information must be available that, if disseminated to the public, could assist in the safe recovery of the missing person.
Upon activation, Turquoise Alerts are disseminated across various platforms to maximize public reach. These include the Emergency Alert System (EAS), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to cell phones, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) vehicle messaging system boards, the social media platforms of the requesting agency, and the AZDPS Alerts website. Law enforcement agencies statewide also receive an All-Points Bulletin (APB) broadcast. The goal is to provide timely, actionable information to the public, which can make a critical difference in locating those who are missing and bringing them home safely.
Community Role in Missing Persons Cases
The public plays a vital role in the success of the Turquoise Alert system. By being aware of active alerts and sharing relevant information, community members can significantly contribute to search efforts. Authorities urge anyone with information regarding Maria Acedo’s whereabouts to contact law enforcement immediately. The efficient dissemination of information and communication is paramount to the safe and expedient recovery of missing individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is a Turquoise Alert?
- A Turquoise Alert is a statewide notification system in Arizona specifically designed to aid in the swift recovery of missing and endangered individuals under the age of 65, including members of tribal communities.
- When was the Turquoise Alert system launched?
- The Turquoise Alert system was officially launched on July 10, 2025, by Governor Katie Hobbs.
- Why was the Turquoise Alert system created?
- The Turquoise Alert system was created to bridge gaps in existing missing person alerts and address the disproportionately high rates of missing Indigenous people in Arizona. It is also known as “Emily’s Law” in honor of Emily Pike, a San Carlos Apache tribal member.
- What are the key criteria for activating a Turquoise Alert?
- Key criteria for activating a Turquoise Alert include: the missing person being under 65 years of age; the investigating law enforcement agency having exhausted all available local resources; the person having gone missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances; a belief that the missing person is in danger or with a dangerous person; and sufficient information being available for public dissemination.
- How are Turquoise Alerts disseminated to the public?
- Turquoise Alerts are disseminated through various platforms including the Emergency Alert System (EAS), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to cell phones, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) vehicle messaging system boards, social media platforms of the requesting agency, and the AZDPS Alerts website.
Key Features of the Turquoise Alert System (State-level)
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Scope | Statewide initiative in Arizona. |
| Targeted Population | Missing and endangered individuals under the age of 65, including tribal members. |
| Purpose | To aid in the swift recovery of missing persons and address the crisis of missing Indigenous people. |
| Launch Date | Officially launched on July 10, 2025, by Governor Katie Hobbs. |
| Legislative Basis | Established through House Bill 2281, signed into law in May 2025. |
| Alternative Name | Also known as “Emily’s Law”. |
| Activation Criteria (Key Points) | Missing person under 65; law enforcement has exhausted local resources; unexplained/suspicious circumstances; belief of danger; sufficient information for public dissemination. |
| Dissemination Methods | Emergency Alert System (EAS), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), ADOT vehicle messaging boards, social media, AZDPS Alerts website, All-Points Bulletin (APB). |
| Comparison to Other Alerts | Fills gaps between Amber Alerts (child abduction) and SAFE Alerts (seniors/cognitively disabled). |
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