The death of two-year-old Aryana Trevino Martinez has left residents searching for answers after an AMBER Alert ended with the toddler being found dead near the area where she was reported missing on Sunday. Authorities have confirmed that the investigation remains active. The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office is working to determine the child’s cause of death.
Police issued an AMBER Alert on Sunday evening after Aryana disappeared from a residence on the city’s North Side. Hours later, officers located her unresponsive in a nearby brushy area.
Officials pronounced her dead shortly after midnight Monday, bringing the overnight search to a tragic end.
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What happened to Aryana Trevino Martinez?
The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) said Aryana was reported missing from the 4700 block of Allegheny Drive, near Balcones Heights, on Sunday evening. Officers were told by relatives that the toddler had wandered away from the residence.
An AMBER Alert was then issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety at approximately 7:45 pm on Sunday. Authorities said that Aryana was wearing a black top and leopard-print pants when she disappeared. SAPD later held a news conference near Glenoaks Elementary School as officers continued searching the neighborhood.
Around 6:35 am Monday, SAPD announced that the child had been found in a brushy area near the location where she was reported missing. The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed that Aryana was pronounced dead at 12:12 am Monday.
Officials said the exact location and the cause of death are being withheld pending further examination.
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Investigation continues as police await autopsy results
Authorities have released a few additional details about what happened in the hours between Aryana’s disappearance and the discovery of her body.
SAPD told MySA on Tuesday that the investigation remains active and that no further information is available for release at this time. Detectives continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the toddler’s death.
Police also said Aryana’s family has been cooperative throughout the investigation. Officials have not announced any arrests or identified any suspects.
Community plans vigil to remember Aryana
The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief across San Antonio.
A public candlelight vigil was held on Tuesday evening organized by Eagles Flight Advocacy & Outreach (EFAO) and Last Chance Ministries.
Pamela Allen, CEO of EFAO, told MySA that donations for the family will also be accepted during the vigil to help cover funeral and related expenses.
She said, “If the public would like to bless the family monetarily, we can collect and get to the family to cover expenses.”
