Police searching for missing 13-year-old girl last seen in newark

Police searching for missing 13-year-old girl last seen in Newark

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1 min read
February 15, 2026

NEWARK, NJ – Newark police are asking for the public’s help locating 13-year-old Ashley Vargas, who was reported missing after she was last seen on Sunday, February 8, near South 9th Street and Central Avenue.

According to Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, Sr., Ashley is described as Hispanic, approximately 5 feet tall, weighing around 115 pounds, and was last seen wearing black pants and a black sweater.

Police have not yet released any additional details about the circumstances of her disappearance but said detectives are actively investigating and following leads.

Public urged to assist in search

Authorities are asking anyone with information on Ashley Vargas’s whereabouts to contact the Newark Police Division’s 24-hour Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477).

  • Missing teen identified as 13-year-old Ashley Vargas of Newark
  • Last seen near South 9th Street and Central Avenue on February 8
  • Police urge anyone with information to call the tip line or submit an online tip

Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the department’s official website. All information will remain confidential, and a reward may be offered for information leading to her safe return.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

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