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13-Year-Old Child Abducted In Los Angeles Area Found, Person Of Interest Still Missing

Maria Roman, 13, has been missing since the afternoon of July 7. Michael Stewart, pictured on the right, is being sought by police as a person of interest.
Maria Roman, 13, has been missing since the afternoon of July 7. Michael Stewart, pictured on the right, is being sought by police as a person of interest.

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A 13-year-old girl who went missing Saturday has been found, but the police's person of interest is still missing. She was found in the North Hills area in the north San Fernando Valley, her family said.

CBSLA reporter Chris Holmstrom tweeted a photo of the Maria Roman. Maria was last seen Saturday at 3 p.m. in Van Nuys. She was being reunited with her family Sunday.

"My major concern is my daughter, her life," Carina Roman told CBS2 News shortly after she was informed Maria was found. "I love my daughter. She's my only daughter, and I miss her. I haven't gotten any sleep the whole night since she left. I got so worried."

The Los Angeles Police Dept. is looking for Michael Stewart as a person of interest. Police said Maria and her family befriended Stewart, a transient, several weeks ago and that the man had been helping the family with tasks around the house.

Maria left with Stewart Saturday afternoon to run an errand in the family vehicle, described as a 1998 red Nissan Pathfinder. The SUV's California license plate number is 8CHH187.

Stewart is described as a 45-year-old male Hispanic, 5 feet 7 inches tall, who weighs 180 pounds. He has some facial hair.

Both of their mobile phones were shut off at around 8 p.m., preventing police from pinging the devices. The last text the family received indicated they were having car trouble.

This is a breaking news story. More details will be added as soon as they become available.

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