AZ teen believed to be with 29-year-old man, headed to New Mexico

AVONDALE, Ariz. — The Avondale Police Department is searching for a missing endangered teen believed to be traveling with a 29-year-old man.

>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.

Police said Destiny Jasmine Renee Bateman, 16, was last seen in her Avondale home, near Buckeye and El Mirage roads, at around 1 a.m. on Nov. 3 by a member of her family.

It is believed that Bateman left her home and was picked up by a man named Isaac Martin, 29.

“I woke up to a nightmare,” Misty Milleman, Bateman’s mother, said. “I love you so much. Please come home.”

Milleman told 12News Martin was a close friend of their family, but now she fears for her daughter’s safety.

Bateman’s parents said she took her Bible with her and left letters for each of her family members behind.

“There was a stack of papers at the foot of the bed saying goodbye mom,” Milleman said.

Police said Bateman’s family received a text from her at around 8:50 a.m. saying she was traveling toward New Mexico and was very close to Arizona’s border with the state.

“We don’t know where they went from there,” Carlos Chavez, Bateman’s father, said.

Martin is believed to be driving a silver 2016 Buick Encore.  It bears the license plate registration Arizona BEA0TX.

Based on phone pings and traffic cameras, they were last seen traveling north of the Four Corners area.

“I’m begging you, bring her home,” Milleman said. “She’s my everything.”

Bateman weighs 110 pounds and is 5 feet tall. She has red hair and brown eyes.

When Bateman was last seen she was wearing a black hat with “street life” inscribed on it, a black hoodie-style sweater and grey pajama pants with teddy bear print.

Police described Martin as a Hispanic male, with black hair and brown eyes who is 5 feet 6 inches tall and 235 pounds. 

Police said there is probable cause for Martin’s arrest for kidnapping.

Anyone with any information about this case should contact Avondale police at 623-333-7001.

You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!

The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program, “Arizona Midday”—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.

12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.

Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.

Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for “12 News KPNX.”

Amazon Fire TV: Search for “12 News KPNX” to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.

On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.

On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device

The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program, “Arizona Midday”—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.

12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.

On social media: Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.