11-year-old from Escambia County Amber Alert found safe

Writer: Matthew Seaver
Published: Updated:
Amber Alert for Banesa Fernandez-Santis. (Credit: FDLE)

An Amber alert has been issued for an 11-year-old girl from Escambia County who the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said may have been kidnapped has been found safe.

FDLE said 11-year-old Banesa Fernandez-Santis was last seen near the 5600 block of Arthur Brown Road in Walnut Hill. FDLE says Banesa has scars on her face, has black hair, brown eyes, is five foot two, and is approximately 120 pounds.

According to the Amber Alert, Banesa may be in the company of 42-year-old Brijido Manriquez-Ortis, who is five foot eight with black hair and brown eyes.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says Banesa was working on a farm with the suspect. They say the girl’s father had discovered what he believed to be the beginning of a relationship between Banesa and the suspect.

Deputies say Banesa’s father couldn’t find his daughter but did find a cut screen and a note saying she was with Manriquez-Ortis.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says Banesa’s father had previously fired Manriquez-Ortis after a kissing incident between Banesa and Manriquez-Ortis.

The sheriff’s office said they believed the missing girl and they suspect may be in either Atlanta, Georgia, or Laredo, Texas.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office did not say where the girl was found or if she was found with Manriquez-Ortis.

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