Family search for missing Brookhaven girl

DeKalb County Police have issued a Be On the Lookout (BOLA) alert for a Brookhaven girl who family members said never got on the school bus and never returned home this week.

Celia Hinojosa, 13, was last seen walking down Apple Valley Road toward Dresden Drive on Feb. 9 around 8:30 a.m. - the time she is normally on the school bus heading to Chamblee Middle School.

Celia's mother, Claudia Arreola, said she was not home when Celia left because she drives Celia's two younger sisters to school. The bus, she said, picks Celia up in front of their home at the intersection of Apple Valley Road and Park Avenue.

Wednesday, however, Arreola said she never got on the bus and doesn't know why. "There has been gossip, [about a boyfriend] but no names," Arreola said. She said she has since visited the school, spoken to Celia's two best friends, the school counselor, and the school police officer. The counselor confirmed that Celia had not been to school and the friends, she said, did not provide any insight into where Celia could be.

Dekalb County Police Department spokesperson Mekka Parish said the department is investigating the case as a runaway, not a missing person which is why an Amber Alert had not been issued. Parish said family members told investigators she may be with an adult boyfriend. While that statement is not in the initial report or confirmed by the mother, Parish said it was obtained through a follow-up investigation because of the mother's language barrier.

Arreola, however, said police never contacted her to interview her after she filed the original report by phone.

"I don't think they're interested in the case," Arreola said.

She said Celia was very quiet and was an A and B student. She always stuck close to family and teachers in school, and didn't associate with many school peers.

"She never went to the movies, or anywhere with her friends," said Arreola. "If she went anywhere, she was with family."

Family members today were distributing fliers with Celia's picture. They are asking anyone with information to contact 678-598-8421.