Seven-year-old Jose Francisco Fuentes Pereira, known as Paquito, disappeared on December 7, 1993, near the U.S.-Mexico border at San Ysidro, California. He was traveling with his siblings and aunt after a long journey from a remote village in El Salvador, guided by smugglers. Chaos broke out when someone shouted policia and the group scattered; Jose became separated and never reached the safe house where the rest of the family ended up.

Jose had limited knowledge of his own identity, not knowing his exact birth date, full last name, or even his complete first name, and he had never attended school. Smugglers searched but were unable to find him. It remains unknown whether he became lost in the desert or whether other circumstances explain his disappearance; unconfirmed speculation placed him as far away as New York. Any information from people who were in San Ysidro or traveling that route in December 1993 could help—did anyone see a small boy called Paquito that day?