🚨 URGENT AMBER ALERT: 3-year-old Kehlani Rogers snatched from her bed in Avondale, Arizona – last seen in pink pajamas with braids, taken by a woman she barely knows! 😱🚨Police say she’s NOT related, and the toddler is in IMMEDIATE danger!

Parents tucked her in around 11:30 pm on February 20… woke up to an empty room. No forced entry, no screams – just gone with “Merena,” a mysterious white woman (now ID’d as 23-year-old Mariana Noriega) described as…

Arizona authorities have activated an Amber Alert for 3-year-old Kehlani Marie Rogers, who was reported missing from her home in Avondale late Friday night, February 20, 2026, in what police describe as an alleged abduction by an unrelated adult female.

The alert was issued early Saturday by the Arizona Department of Public Safety in coordination with the Avondale Police Department. Kehlani was last seen by her parents around 11:30 p.m. when they put her to bed at their residence near 118th Avenue and Edgemont Avenue, just south of Thomas Road in the West Valley area of metropolitan Phoenix.

When family members checked on her Saturday morning, she was gone. There were no signs of forced entry or struggle reported at the scene, prompting immediate classification as an abduction. Authorities believe the child is in immediate danger and emphasize the urgency of public assistance.

Kehlani is described as a Black female, approximately 3 feet tall with a thin build, brown eyes, and brown hair worn in braids at the time of her disappearance. She was last seen wearing pink pajamas.

She is believed to be in the company of a woman initially known only as “Merena,” later identified by investigators as 23-year-old Mariana Noriega. Noriega is described as a white female, short in stature (around 5 feet 1 inch), thin build, approximately 100 pounds, with brown hair often worn in a ponytail, hazel eyes, and brown eyes in some descriptions. At the time, she was wearing a white shirt with pink or purple pants.

Police stress that Noriega is not related to Kehlani or the family, a detail that heightened concerns and met criteria for the Amber Alert activation. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) has also posted the alert on its database, urging nationwide vigilance.

A significant update came Saturday when Surprise Police Department announced that surveillance footage from a local business in the City of Maricopa – about 30 miles southeast of Avondale – captured images believed to be Noriega and Kehlani. The sighting occurred during the day on February 21, suggesting the pair may have traveled south from the initial location. No vehicle description has been publicly released, though authorities are reviewing traffic cameras and canvassing the area.

Avondale Police Department officials have urged anyone with information to contact them at 623-333-7000 or the anonymous tip line at 480-WITNESS. The FBI and surrounding agencies, including Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, have been notified and are assisting in the search.

The case has drawn widespread attention across Arizona media outlets, with alerts broadcast on highways, social media, and emergency notification systems. Public reaction includes concern over the timeline – the child was reported missing after several hours – and questions about how Noriega gained access to the home. Police have not detailed the nature of any prior connection, if any exists, between Noriega and the family.

Amber Alerts are reserved for cases meeting specific criteria: the child is under 18, believed abducted, in imminent danger of serious harm or death, and sufficient descriptive information is available for public broadcast. This activation aligns with those standards, particularly the perceived risk to the toddler.

Kehlani’s disappearance comes amid a series of high-profile child abduction cases in recent months, renewing focus on home security, stranger danger even in familiar settings, and rapid response protocols. In rural and suburban areas like Avondale, quick public dissemination can be critical.

Family members have not made public statements, but community support has mobilized through social media shares of the alert flyer from Avondale PD and NCMEC. Posters describe Kehlani as a vulnerable 3-year-old who may require medication or special care, though no specifics have been released.

Investigators continue to interview family, neighbors, and potential witnesses. Forensic teams processed the home scene for evidence, though no updates on findings have been shared. The possibility of voluntary departure or misunderstanding has not been ruled out publicly, but the abduction classification and danger assessment drive the response.

As of Saturday evening, no arrests have been made, and the search remains active. Authorities urge the public to check vehicles, backyards, and remote areas, particularly in Maricopa and surrounding counties. Tips can be submitted without fear of identification in many cases.

The Amber Alert system, named after Amber Hagerman who was abducted and murdered in 1996, has successfully recovered hundreds of children nationwide since its inception. In Arizona, activations are coordinated through the Department of Public Safety and often involve multiple jurisdictions.

For now, every hour is critical. Kehlani Rogers remains missing, and the hunt for her and Mariana Noriega continues with full resources deployed. Officials ask residents to remain vigilant, check surveillance footage if available, and report any sightings immediately.

The community in Avondale – a growing suburb west of Phoenix – has rallied in prayer vigils and share campaigns, hoping for a safe return. As details emerge, the case underscores the unpredictability of child abductions and the vital role of community awareness in resolutions.