Posted on: Saturday, February 25, 2006
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
Despite the recovery of four children this week, the list of missing foster children grew to 54 yesterday, according to the state Department of Human Services.
State officials have sought the public's help in locating several new runaways this past week. Yesterday afternoon, they added six children to the list.
"We care deeply about these children and want them to come back so we can help them work out any issues and provide the care they need," said department director Lillian Koller.
The department has released lists, names and photos of missing foster children since early this month in an effort to find them. But officials would not name the children who were found this week, citing the need for privacy now that they have been located.
The names added to the list yesterday are:
Jerrilynn Rego, 15, last seen Feb. 15 in Makaha, said Derrick Dahilig, spokesman for the Department of Human Services. Rego is 5 feet 1 with a slim build and self-made tattoos.
Isaac Ke-Rodillas, 16, last seen Feb. 18 in 'Ewa Beach, Dahilig said. Ke-Rodillas is 5 feet 8 and 150 pounds.
Eriberto Velasquez, 15, last seen Sunday in Nanakuli. He is 5 feet 2 and 130 pounds, with short brown hair. He wears earrings on both ears.
Jeanna Balzan, 16, last seen Wednesday on Alder Street, Dahilig said. Balzan is 5 feet 1. She is of Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino and Caucasian descent with brown eyes and brown hair.
Jerahka Quemado-Andrzejewski, 12, last seen Wednesday at Niu Valley Intermediate School, Dahilig said. The girl is 4 feet 11 and 90 pounds, with long brown hair and brown eyes.
And on Thursday, Chelsie Aina-Lucas ran away from Happy Valley on Maui, Dahilig said. The girl, 17, is 5 feet 2 and 110 pounds, with shoulder-length dark brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone seeing these foster children is asked to call police.
Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com.
