FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
The Fresno Police Department is asking the public's help in finding a missing 14-year-old girl.
Police say Julissa Garcia left her family's southeast Fresno home to use the phone at a nearby store, but never returned.
Now police believe she might be with 43-year-old Jose Garcia.
Family members say Jose Garcia was their neighbor for many years.
But recently family members found several love letters Julissa wrote to the 43-year-old man, then they both vanished.
Maria Morales says she's praying her granddaughter will return home safely and soon.
Maria Morales says, "I have no idea where she is. Last Tuesday she went to use the phone at the store nearby, but didn't return. I believe she's with our neighbor, Jose Garcia."
For the past two weeks Julissa had been living with her grandmother in the upstairs apartment. Before that she had been living with mom in the downstairs apartment for the last two years, and just across the lawn is where Jose Garcia lived.
Police believe that is the man Julissa is currently with.
Police say Jose Garcia who goes by the nickname of "Lalo" was already wanted for felony warrants for drug charges.
Detectives say he may add more charges if he is found with the 14 year old.
Jose Morales says, "It's beyond sick. There are no words for it. Especially after her running away, we know she's with him there are no words for it, it's wrong."
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to call the Fresno Police Department's Missing Persons Unit at (559) 621-7000.
