In the pre-dawn hours of Thursday, August 21, 2025, the quiet streets of Los Angeles’ Westlake District were thrust into a state of urgency. Two young brothers—2-year-old Dereck Rodriguez and 10-year-old Jaden Hernandez—vanished from their foster home on South Virgil Avenue, sparking a desperate search that has gripped the city. As Friday dawns, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) continues its relentless pursuit, with the California Highway Patrol issuing an Amber Alert to rally the public’s help in bringing these boys home.

The brothers, both in foster care, were reported missing at 1:30 a.m. Thursday, sending shockwaves through their neighborhood near Lafayette Park. Authorities believe the boys may have initially left their foster home on their own, possibly in an attempt to reunite with their biological mother, 30-year-old Jackeline Hernandez-Torres. However, the situation took a darker turn as evidence suggests Hernandez-Torres, who does not have custodial rights, abducted the boys and fled with them to South Los Angeles. The last known sighting of the children places them in the area of West 52nd Street and Halldale Avenue, a quiet residential pocket now buzzing with police activity.

Dereck, the younger of the two, is a tiny figure at just 2 feet tall and 20 pounds, with striking red hair and soulful brown eyes. He was last seen dressed in a dark T-shirt and dark pants, his small frame barely noticeable in the early morning shadows. Jaden, his protective older brother, stands 4 feet tall and weighs 100 pounds, with black hair and matching brown eyes. He, too, was clad in a black shirt and black pants, blending into the night as they disappeared. The boys’ vulnerability has tugged at the heartstrings of the community, with neighbors like Denise Coleman voicing anguish: “Why would you take your kids from a safe environment?” she asked, her face hidden from cameras but her concern palpable.

The suspect, Jackeline Hernandez-Torres, cuts a distinct figure. At 5 feet tall and 120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, she was last seen wearing a light-colored hoodie and dark sweatpants. Authorities believe she is driving a black 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser, identifiable by its Indiana license plate, DFT105—a critical detail that could lead to a breakthrough in the case. The LAPD has released photos of the boys and their mother, urging anyone who spots them or the vehicle to call 911 immediately.

The search has been exhaustive. LAPD officers, supported by K-9 units and a helicopter scouring the skies, have combed the Westlake District and shifted focus to the 1500 block of East 52nd Street in South Los Angeles, where the boys were last seen. The Department of Children and Family Services is working closely with police, distributing images and information to aid the effort. The Amber Alert, activated mid-morning Thursday, has cast a wide net, with alerts flashing across phones and billboards, imploring the public to stay vigilant.

As the second day of the search unfolds, the city holds its breath. The LAPD’s Missing Persons Unit stands ready to receive tips at 213-996-1800, while anonymous reports can be made to 1-800-222-TIPS. The community, shaken by the disappearance of these young brothers, is united in hope, praying for Dereck and Jaden’s safe return. Every passing hour intensifies the urgency, and every pair of eyes scanning the streets could be the key to bringing these boys back to safety.