Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a teen girl who has been missing since November 2020 has been found safe. Katherine Villeda-Hernandez, 14, of Larose was located in Bradenton, Florida, with assistance from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Villeda-Hernandez was last seen at her residence on South Main Street in Larose at around 12:00 a.m. on November 8, 2020. She left a hand-written note behind indicating she was running away from home. Investigators followed up on several leads since then but had been unable to locate her. Through investigation, detectives learned of the juvenile’s possible location at an address in Bradenton, Florida, on January 25, 2021. With assistance from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Villeda-Hernandez was located at a residence where she was staying with a friend. She confirmed that she had left home due to a disagreement with a family member.

Efforts are now underway to return Villeda-Hernandez to Louisiana. This investigation is continuing.