Missing Sacramento Teenager Isabel Gallego Seeks Answers

The parents of a Sacramento teenager who went missing nearly two months ago said they are praying their daughter returns home safe.

Sacramento police said Isabel Gallego, 17, was last seen on April 19. Her parents, Julie and Richard Gallego, said they saw her late in the evening at their home in Sacramento.

“The last time I saw her, I said goodnight,” Julie said. “The next morning we saw she wasn’t in her bed.”

Julie also said that Isabel did not take her phone, clothes or any other items with her.

Police said Isabel was at risk because of her age. Detectives believe she is with Kyree Jackson, 25, who has two outstanding felony warrants in Sacramento County. Police learned the two had left Sacramento and believe they spent several days in Portland, Oregon, before arriving in Seattle, Washington.

Now detectives believe Isabel may be a victim of human trafficking.

“That's the hardest thing for us is just not hearing from her, not knowing where she is or what might be happening, and we can't afford to worry too much. entertain those thoughts,” Richard said. “It took a lot of work for us and our family just to try to get through the day and do all the other things we're supposed to do.”

Isabel's parents told KCRA 3 that she introduced them to Kyree Jackson as a 19-year-old friend shortly before she disappeared. They said they felt there was something suspicious about him.

“We met him about two weeks before they left,” Julie said. “He was strangely polite. Exaggeratedly polite. And we thought that was just strange.

Richard said they had never heard of him before this meeting and found it strange that their daughter had disappeared so soon after.

“What is happening and how it happened makes no sense,” Richard said.

Julie and Richard describe Isabel as friendly, confident and creative. She is very involved in the Sacramento punk rock scene and participates in numerous concerts. Julie said she and her husband immediately searched some of Isabel's hangouts, including a concert hall on Stockton Boulevard, to try to find her when she first went missing.

“We couldn’t locate her in any of her usual places,” Julie said.

The last few weeks have been difficult for loved ones. Isabel is supposed to graduate from high school in a few weeks.

“It's very bittersweet to see all these other things happening in all these other families, and then we're at this point where we really miss our oldest daughter,” Richard said.

Julie said the whole ordeal had been incredibly difficult for the whole family, including Isabel's 12-year-old sister.

“It’s been horrible,” Julie said. “We miss her so much. The house is completely different without her being there. There is less laughter and noise.

The family set up a shrine in their home with photos of Isabel surrounding a single candle. As they pray for her safe return home, they send a message to their daughter.

“Try to go home. Try running. We love you and we miss you, and we just want you to be home and safe,” Julie said.

Sacramento police said Isabel was last seen with green hair and facial piercings, but added that it was unclear whether her appearance had changed since she disappeared. Anyone with information on where Isabel or Kyree Jackson may be is asked to contact the Sacramento Police Department at (916) 808-5471.

KCRA 3 asked Sacramento police why it took them almost two months to notify the public of Isabel's disappearance. A department spokesperson said detectives were working diligently to find Isabel, but investigators “had exhausted all their leads.” That’s why they’re asking for the community’s help to find her.

No Amber Alert has been issued for Isabel. KCRA 3 contacted the California Highway Patrol, the agency that issues Amber Alerts, to ask why this was the case. The CHP couldn't give a clear answer but said to contact Sacramento police. Police then referred KCRA 3 to the CHP.

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