13-year-old girl allegedly abducted by older man found safe; suspect still on the loose

(FOX 11) - A bizarre tale of an an alleged abduction in Reseda. A 13-year-old girl befriends an older man and then disappears with him only to be found safe.

The family of Maria Roman and the Los Angeles Police Department's West Valley Area Juvenile Detectives are asking for the public's help in locating her.

On July 8, 2018, at 8:20 a.m., West Valley Area was assigned a missing person investigation. Maria was last seen on July 7, 2018, around 3:00 p.m., at the 16700 block of Archwood Street in Van Nuys.

Officers investigation revealed, Maria and her family had befriended a local transient known to them as Michael Stewart several weeks ago. Michael had helped the family with various tasks around the house.

On July 7, 2018, at about 3 p.m., Maria left with Michael in the family's vehicle a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder, red in color license no. 8CHH187 to run an errand.

Maria or Michael have not been seen or heard from since they left the house. Maria disappearance is described extremely suspicious.

Maria is described as a female from the Philippines, with black hair, brown eyes, stands at 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing 90 lbs., and she has a thin build and medium complexion.

Maria Roman

She was last seen wearing a red striped shirt, blue jeans black and white Adidas and black back-pack. Marias' mental and physical condition is described as good.

Michael Stewart is described as a male Hispanic, 50 years old, brown hair, brown eyes, standing at 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weighting approximately 180 lbs. Michael was last seen wearing a black shirt grey pants and black and white shoes.

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Maria Josefa Roman, please contact West Valley Area Juvenile Detectives, at (818) 374-7730. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to the West Valley Division Watch Commander at 818-374-7611, as well as 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit ww.lapdonline.org, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips" under the "Get Involved-Crime Stoppers" menu to submit an onlinetip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the "P3 Tips" mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.