Where Is Maria Sosa? 16-Year-Old Girl Disappears, Community in Shock

MIAMI, FL – The vibrant neighborhoods of Miami are reeling after 16-year-old Maria Sosa vanished without a trace nearly a week ago. For her heartbroken family, every minute feels like an eternity, and for law enforcement, the clock is ticking in a race against time to bring her home safely.

Who Is Maria Sosa?

Maria isn’t just another face on a missing poster—she’s a beloved daughter, a loyal friend, and an honor student with dreams of becoming a nurse. Described as kind, shy, and deeply empathetic, her sudden disappearance has sparked fear, confusion, and an outpouring of concern from the Miami-Dade community.

She was last seen on Wednesday, July 16, in the Flagami neighborhood, a quiet, mostly residential area in the western part of the city.

Timeline of Events

• July 16, 2025 (Wednesday): Maria was last seen wearing a white shirt and black pants around her family home.

• Her parents, worried when she didn’t return home by nightfall, contacted police by early Thursday morning.

• As of July 21, there have been no confirmed sightings, and her phone appears to be turned off or disabled.

Police Investigation

The Miami Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit has taken the lead on the investigation. Officials released a Missing Person Alert across news stations and social media, including images of Maria and urgent contact details. Detectives are canvassing the area for security camera footage, checking with friends, schools, and possible leads, but so far, the case remains open and active.

“Every lead matters. We are doing everything in our power to locate Maria,” said a spokesperson for MPD.
“We’re asking the public to share her image and call us immediately if they’ve seen anything suspicious.”

A Family’s Plea

Maria’s parents, José and Elena Sosa, are devastated. In a public statement, Elena held back tears as she said:

“Maria, if you’re seeing this, please come home. You are not in trouble. We love you. We just want you safe.”

The family has created a GoFundMe page to cover private investigation fees and community awareness campaigns, including distributing posters and running Facebook ads to expand visibility.

Why This Case Matters

Miami-Dade has seen a spike in teen runaways and child trafficking attempts over the last two years, according to National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) data. Young women, particularly Latinas, are disproportionately represented among missing youth in the region.

This case isn’t just about one child. It reflects a larger issue of vulnerability and the urgent need for quicker, more coordinated responses when young people go missing.

Community Response

Local advocacy groups such as Missing Kids of South Florida and Latina Safe House are actively supporting the Sosa family. Candlelight vigils, flyer distribution, and door-to-door canvassing have taken place across Flagami and nearby neighborhoods.

A search party of volunteers is planned for Thursday, organized by a group of local high schoolers, with the rallying cry: “Bring Maria Home.”

How You Can Help

If you have any information—no matter how small—it could be the key to bringing Maria home.

Contact:

• Miami PD: 305‑603‑6300

• After-hours: 305‑579‑6111

• Email: SVU@miami-police.org

You can also submit anonymous tips via Crime Stoppers at 305‑471‑TIPS.

Summary

In cases like this, visibility is vital. Sharing Maria’s story might feel like a small act—but it could change everything. Whether she left voluntarily or was taken against her will, what matters most now is bringing her home safe.