A 28-year-old man was arrested Friday after authorities located a missing 14-year-old California girl at a residence in Liberty County, officials said.
On Feb. 20, 2026, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department requesting assistance in locating the juvenile, who had been reported missing as a runaway.
Investigators believed the girl had left California with her uncle, Yaser Byron Cima, 28, and was possibly in the Cleveland area.
The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and Criminal Interdiction Unit were directed to the 1200 block of County Road 3556. Using a department drone, deputies located Cima’s vehicle concealed behind a building on the property, preventing it from being seen from the roadway.
Authorities developed probable cause and executed a search warrant at the residence. Cima and the 14-year-old girl were found inside, officials said.
Investigators determined there was reason to believe an additional crime had occurred in Liberty County beyond harboring a runaway. A second search warrant was obtained and executed at the residence.
Cima was transported to and booked into the Liberty County Jail on a charge of sexual assault of a child, a second-degree felony.
The juvenile was released to Child Protective Services, and arrangements are being made to return her to California.
Additional criminal charges out of California are pending.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities in Liberty County and Los Angeles County continue to work together to determine whether further charges will be filed. Cima’s mugshot is not yet available on the jail website.
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