In the unincorporated community of Whittier, a sense of urgency has gripped the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as they rally the public’s help in a desperate search for 17-year-old Carlos Mayorga. The teenager, described as a vibrant young Latino with a bright future, vanished into the evening shadows on Thursday, August 21, 2025, leaving behind a community on edge and a family yearning for answers.
Carlos was last spotted at 7:30 p.m. on the 11500 block of Santa Gertrudes Avenue, near Wilmaglen Drive, a seemingly ordinary corner now marked by the weight of his absence. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches and weighing 140 pounds, Carlos is unmistakable with his black hair, soulful brown eyes, and a distinctive “2008” tattoo etched on the left side of his chest—a possible nod to a significant moment in his life. That evening, he was dressed in a black shirt and matching pants, a black backpack slung over his shoulders, and was gliding through the streets on his skateboard, an image that paints a picture of youthful energy and freedom.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is leaving no stone unturned, urging anyone who might have seen Carlos or caught a glimpse of his skateboard slicing through the Whittier night to come forward. The Norwalk Sheriff’s Station’s Detective Bureau is standing by, ready to receive any clue, no matter how small, at 562-863-8711. For those who prefer anonymity, Crime Stoppers offers a discreet lifeline at 800-222-8477 or through their website, lacrimestoppers.org. Every call, every tip, could be the key to bringing Carlos home.
As the hours tick by, the community of Whittier holds its breath, united in hope that Carlos Mayorga will soon be found safe. The streets where he last rode his skateboard are now a focal point of concern, but also a beacon of possibility—a place where one person’s vigilance could change everything. The Sheriff’s Department’s plea echoes loudly: if you know something, say something. Carlos’s story isn’t over, and with the public’s help, it’s one that can end with a reunion.