Kaya Centeno (b. 2002) disappeared while being homeschooled. Her sister S. (b. 2003) and brother B. (b. 2005) were physically, emotionally, and sexually abused by the children’s adoptive parents, Gina and Jose Centeno. The children had twin adoptive siblings, P. and Q.
The Centenos adopted Kaya, S., and B., who were all biological siblings, in 2008. Kaya was enrolled in John Reed Elementary School in Rohnert Park, California, in 2010-2011 for second grade, but she was withdrawn from school to be homeschooled. She was last seen between 2010 and 2012. Around the time of Kaya’s disappearance, the Centenos began abusing the other children. Jose Centeno repeatedly sexually abused S., and both Centenos physically abused S. and B. At some point, the Centenos adopted twins P. and Q. In early 2019, the now separated Centenos sent S. and B. to live with their relatives in Mexico, while P. and Q. continued to live in California with Gina Centeno. This arrangement was reportedly part of a fraudulent scheme “to access adoption assistance funding.”
The abuse came to light in summer 2020 when S. and B. reported it to Mexican authorities. They were returned to the United States and the Centenos were arrested on several counts of kidnapping, torture, and sexual abuse.
Date: August 19, 2020
Location: Rohnert Park, California
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