Search For Missing Deaf Teen Suspended

SAN DIEGO -- Authorities still hope to learn the fate of a 19-year-old Vista woman whose been missing from a group home, even though the active search has been suspended, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Alexandra Jiminez, who is deaf and has psychological and emotional problems, was last seen by staffers at the home at 2035 Alta Vista Drive around 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sgt. Don Parker said.

Deputies, joined by a search and rescue team, searched the neighborhood for around seven hours Saturday, but stopped when they learned that Jiminez might have gone to San Diego to see am unidentified male she communicated with on the Internet, Parker said.

The sergeant said the woman might have left when the house's staff suspended her Internet privileges.

Lt. William Donahue described her status as "voluntary missing."

Jiminez is described as 5 feet 3 inches tall, 120 pounds and with reddish brown hair, usually worn in a ponytail.