Missing Juvenile Safely Recovered Following Multi-Agency Investigation
Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Chief Joseph Murphy of the Wildwood Police Department announce the successful recovery of a missing 16-year-old juvenile following a coordinated multi-agency investigation spanning multiple states.
On May 26, 2026, the Wildwood Police Department received a report of a missing juvenile female from Wildwood, New Jersey. An immediate investigation was initiated by the Wildwood Police Department and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Child Abduction Response Team (CART), with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, Monroe Township Police Department, and Pennsylvania State Police.
Read more: Wildwood Teenager Reported Missing Was FoundDuring the course of the investigation, authorities developed information indicating the juvenile had traveled from Cape May County to Gloucester County, New Jersey. Through coordinated investigative efforts by local, county, state, and federal agencies, authorities were able to continue tracking the juvenile’s whereabouts, ultimately leading investigators to Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
On May 27, 2026, the juvenile was safely located in Bedford County and placed into protective custody, and arrangements were made for her safe return to New Jersey. Detectives from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office coordinated the reunification with the juvenile’s family. An adult male, identified as Demar Rojas-Hernandez, of Santa Ana, California, was taken into custody by the Pennsylvania State Police and charged with Interference with Custody of Children. Additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
Sutherland praised the coordinated efforts of all agencies involved in the investigation.
“This case highlights the critical importance of rapid interagency cooperation and the advanced investigative resources available to protect vulnerable juveniles. Due to the swift actions of law enforcement personnel across multiple jurisdictions, this young victim was safely recovered before further harm could occur. We remain committed to aggressively investigating crimes involving the exploitation and endangerment of children.”
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135, or submit anonymous tips through the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office website at cmcpo.tips.