Two missing teenagers found alive in Cabo San Lucas after leaving voluntarily

Two teenagers whose disappearances triggered family protests and road blockades in Cabo San Lucas have been found alive, Baja California Sur's state prosecutor's office confirmed.

Melany Valentina Castillo Bañaga, 13, had been reported missing on Aug. 31 after attending classes at Technical Secondary School No. 16 in Cabo San Lucas. Authorities said they found her safe and reunited her with her family. Reports said she had left voluntarily for personal reasons.

Leamsy Krystel Genchis Gutiérrez, 15, had been missing since Aug. 23. The prosecutor's office confirmed that she too had been found safe and deactivated its search protocol. Before the official confirmation, Leamsy posted a video on social media saying she was well, had left home voluntarily and had traveled to La Paz.

In the video, she attributed her decision to an alleged situation of family violence. The article said no investigation into that claim had been publicly reported. The cases prompted relatives and friends to mobilize the previous week. On Sept. 2, they blocked the Transpeninsular Highway, one of the main routes into Cabo San Lucas, for several hours while demanding that authorities accelerate the search. With both teenagers located, officials ended the search protocols.

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I am well, I left home voluntarily and traveled to La Paz.