The Abduction of Joanna Luna

Joanna Luna disappeared in the early morning hours of August 20, 2022. San Antonio Police Department classified her disappearance as an abduction and identified Richard Xavier Rodriguez, 17, as the suspect. Despite this classification, no Amber Alert was issued for 78 days. The reason for that delay has never been publicly explained by the San Antonio Police Department.

The Amber Alert system exists precisely for cases like Joanna's: a child believed to be in immediate danger, a named suspect, and a potential vehicle. All three elements were present in August 2022. The delay until November meant that the window of time when Joanna and Rodriguez were most likely to be visible and traceable passed without a broad public alert. By the time the alert was issued, the U-Haul truck that had initially been identified was already located and returned, suggesting the pair had moved on from that vehicle well before law enforcement sought public assistance.

The language used by Texas DPS in the Amber Alert described Joanna as having "absconded" with Rodriguez. This framing has been noted by advocates and the public as problematic. Joanna was 13 years old at the time of her disappearance. Under both Texas and federal law, a 13-year-old cannot legally consent to leaving with an adult or older teen in circumstances that constitute an abduction. The legal classification of the incident as an abduction, maintained by SAPD, is the appropriate framing regardless of the circumstances under which she left the residence.

As of the time of this writing, Joanna Luna has not been found. Richard Xavier Rodriguez's current whereabouts are not confirmed in publicly available records. No criminal charges against Rodriguez in connection with Joanna's disappearance have been confirmed in the public record. The San Antonio Police Department asks anyone with information to contact them directly or to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.