Darinel Wilber Morales Morales was 17 when he was last seen from his home in Durham, North Carolina’s 27704 zip code on February 15, 2023. Originally from Guatemala, he had been placed with relatives in Durham through immigration arrangements. Early on, those close to him believed he had left voluntarily and may have traveled to Florida with another family member, but that information did not prompt an immediate report.

A report to police did not come until June 2023, about four months after Darinel’s last confirmed sighting. The Durham Police Department opened an investigation under case number 23-022408 and local authorities along with the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons issued public outreach and alerts. Significant leads have been scarce and there has been no confirmed contact since mid-February, leaving his whereabouts unresolved.

If anyone has information about Darinel’s movements after February 15, 2023, or saw him in Durham or Florida, please share what you know with the Durham Police Department.