Miramar college student disappears after trip to DeLand

MIRAMAR, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are seeking the public’s help in finding a college student from Miramar who went missing after leaving her home to head to her university upstate, leaving her family deeply concerned.

Elizabeth Arango said she and her loved ones have not been able to sleep since her 20-year-old daughter, Valentina Arango, went missing earlier this week.

“All these days, we haven’t slept, because we’re all concerned about you, Valentina,” she said. “Please come home, please tell us you’re OK.”

Elizabeth and her other daughter Stephania have not heard from Valentina since Tuesday.

Miramar Police said Valentina left her home at the Villages of Renaissance community in a blue 2015 Toyota Yaris with the Florida license plate Z01AXB, at around noon, Sunday.

According to the GPS on her cellphone, she arrived at Stetson University Hatter Hall in DeLand, located about an hour north of Orlando in Volusia County, about five hours later.

The last transaction on Valentina’s debit card was made at a Sunoco Gas Station in DeLand, located near the Stetson campus, the same day.

However, detectives said, no one could verify the student being at either location physically, and now her phone goes directly to voicemail.

Arango’s mother said she last heard from her daughter on Tuesday.

“I’m like, where is my baby sleeping? Where is she?” she said.

Police said no one has seen or spoken with her since.

Valentina’s family said phone records show she was checking her voicemail frequently, adding something just doesn’t sit right.

“Very often, very often, incredibly often, so it’s very weird,” said Elizabeth.

Detectives said Arango stands 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 105 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.

“The whole family, their hearts are broken,” said Elizabeth. “Her grandmother is 84 years old. She took it very, very hard, and she’s been crying every day.”

Because Valentina was last seen in Miramar, Miramar Police have taken over the investigation.

“Send a message, something, if you’re not able to,” said Elizabeth. “Try to turn on that phone. Try to do something, so we can help you.”

Investigators said they’re going to verify whether there is surveillance video of Valentina using her debit card at the gas station in DeLand.

If you have any information regarding Arango’s disappearance or if you have seen or heard from her, call Miramar Police at 954-602-4000 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. You may be eligible for a reward.

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