Minerva Rivera Monroig, a 60-year-old New York resident, is searching for her sister, Luz Selenia “Lucy” López, who disappeared from a residence on Calle Padial in Manatí, Puerto Rico, more than 60 years ago. The disappearance, which occurred when the child was only two years old, remained a closely guarded family secret until the death of the sisters’ grandmother revealed the truth to Minerva.
The Circumstances of the Disappearance
According to Felícita Monroig, the 88-year-old mother of the siblings, the child was taken while the family lived in Manatí. Felícita reported that a woman known as “Doña Rosa,” who lived on Calle Padial and occasionally employed her, had repeatedly pressured her to give up custody of the child. Felícita stated that during one encounter, the woman sent her to a store on an errand; upon her return, both the child and the woman were gone.
No formal police report or official missing persons complaint was ever filed regarding the incident. At the time, Felícita worked informal jobs, including cleaning homes and caring for the sick, often bringing her daughter with her to these locations.
The disappearance of Luz Selenia occurred years before Minerva Rivera Monroig was born, meaning the younger sister grew up unaware of the child’s existence until the family secret was eventually disclosed by her older sister, Rosa.
A Potential Encounter in New York
Years after the incident in Manatí, Felícita relocated to New York. She recounted a potential, though unconfirmed, sighting of her daughter in the Bronx. According to Felícita, she was working in the area when she encountered the same woman, “Doña Rosa,” and saw the child. The woman allegedly appeared startled and told Felícita to return later for a discussion, but when Felícita went back to the site, the woman and the child had disappeared again.
The lack of official documentation in cases involving the disappearance of minors often creates significant barriers for families seeking closure. Without a contemporaneous police record, families like the Monroigs must rely on oral histories and private investigative methods, such as DNA testing, which may yield limited results when genealogical matches remain unresponsive.
The Search for Answers
Minerva and her sister Rosa are currently utilizing online DNA testing services to identify potential relatives and locate their sister. While the tests have produced some genetic matches, the individuals identified have not responded to outreach efforts, and in one instance, a profile was removed from the platform. The sisters maintain hope that their sibling may still be alive and that she might even be aware of their existence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was a police report filed when Lucy disappeared?
No. According to the family, no police complaint or official missing persons report was ever filed at the time of the incident.
How did Minerva find out about her sister?
Minerva learned of Lucy’s existence only after the death of her grandmother, when her older sister, Rosa, asked if their grandmother had ever spoken to her about their missing sibling.
What is the current status of the search?
The family is using online DNA testing services to find connections, but they have not yet established direct contact with any relatives who could provide information on Lucy’s whereabouts.
Could the use of emerging genealogical research tools provide the breakthrough the Monroig family needs to locate their missing sister?
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