Merlin Chirinos Argueta Found Safe in Texas After Amber Alert Near Me

Merlin Chirinos Argueta, a 13-year-old girl from Keithville, Louisiana, was found safe in Texas after an amber alert near me search led investigators to her. She had been reported missing from her Bain Boulevard home at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 7.

The case crossed state lines and brought in Louisiana and Texas agencies. Detective Christopher Ardoin requested an Amber Alert through the Texas Department of Public Safety after the Louisiana State Police issued a Level II Endangered/Missing Child Advisory on behalf of the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Keithville Search

Argueta went missing from her home on Bain Boulevard in Keithville on Thursday morning, May 7. The alert process started that day, when the Louisiana State Police issued the Level II advisory for her.

After the Amber Alert was sent out, tips led authorities to the vehicle believed to have been used in the abduction. Allen Police Department officers responded and spoke with Arlin Hernandez Dubon, who said he drove Daniel Osman Vasquez Mejia, 18, to the place where Argueta was taken without parental consent.

Allen Police Response

Dubon may have driven a white Chevy Tahoe with Texas license plate VML-6061. He later told investigators where Argueta and Vasquez Mejia could be found, and Allen police located both of them.

Vasquez Mejia was detained and arrested by the Collin County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of harboring a runaway. Ardoin also obtained a warrant for Simple Kidnapping under Louisiana Revised Statute 14:45.

Texas Custody

Argueta is in the custody of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services while arrangements are made for her return to her parents. The investigation remains ongoing to determine whether additional criminal offenses occurred while she was missing.