HARLINGEN – The fear in her eyes was obvious.
Enedina Sanchez talked about her missing 19-year-old niece, Nahomi Rodriguez, with hope, but also knowing the situation is not good.
The lifelong San Benito resident was last seen just after 1:30 a.m. on Sunday morning.
Nahomi was leaving her job after her shift at McDonald’s located at 602 N. 77 in Harlingen.
Police say she apparently asked two men for a ride home after work.
She was last seen entering a black truck or SUV that was occupied by two unknown men in the parking lot of the McDonald’s.
“What scares me the most is the border is right there,” she said. “Right there.”
With tired and worried eyes, Sanchez and Myriam Yanez, Nahomi’s stepsister, explained what happened.
At about 12:30 a.m., Nahomi apparently called her mother, with whom she lives, and told her she had a ride home.
Her mother waited, but she never arrived.
Nahomi’s boyfriend said he received a message from her on Facebook at about that same time that stated she was already home, on the couch and making some food.
Although it is unclear what happened after 1:30 a.m., which is the typical time she gets off her shift, one thing is clear.
“There is no chance she ran off,” Sanchez said.
There were no problems at home, Sanchez and Yanez reiterated.
Since the next morning when Sanchez and Yanez realized she was missing, they have been calling hospitals, jails, South Padre Island, Brownsville, lifeguards, among others.
They also are hoping there are cameras that may have captured more information than what police have now.
As hours drag on for the family, the worst is going through their minds.
Sanchez said Nahomi’s mother’s first words upon realizing her daughter was missing, “She’s dead, she’s dead.”
Sanchez said she is trying to be realistic, but is having a difficult time, knowing the strange circumstances and the danger Nahomi appears to be in.
Sanchez and Yanez explained this is not at all like Nahomi to disappear without contacting her family.
Nahomi doesn’t have a phone with her, but does have a small yellow purse and would likely still be wearing her McDonald’s uniform.
For breaking news alerts, download the Valley Morning Star free mobile app for iPhone or Android
Follow the Valley Morning Star on Twitter @ValleyStar and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Valleymorningstar/
