UPDATE: Coral Springs Police Say Missing Juvenile Skylee Merino Found Near Atlanta, Unharmed
UPDATE: Following Boca Post's coverage, the Coral Springs Police Department released the following update this morning:
The Coral Springs Police Department (CSPD) is providing an update regarding the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Skylee Merino, as well as clarifying information that has recently circulated in the media and on social platforms.
Accurate information is critical in any active investigation. When details are shared out of context or are not verified, it can complicate investigative efforts and divert resources. The department remains focused on following verified leads and ensuring information shared with the public is both timely and reliable.
Over the past two weeks, CSPD has assigned multiple detectives to this case and has received assistance from the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Boca Raton Police Department, Delray Beach Police Department, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Investigators have confirmed that Skylee Merino has been seen and has accessed her social media accounts after April 21, 2026. Through the course of the investigation, detectives determined that Skylee attended a party with friends in Fort Lauderdale on April 25. She later stayed with a friend in Boca Raton that evening and went paddleboarding with that same individual on April 26 in the Lake Boca area during the Boca Bash event.
Detectives also learned that Skylee told friends she intended to stop using social media in an effort to avoid being located.On April 26, Skylee and a friend became aware that law enforcement was attempting to locate her. Shortly thereafter, she left the residence. She was later seen at a Starbucks located at 6950 N. Military Trail in Boca Raton, where she met with an adult male before leaving the area with him.
On May 1, CSPD detectives identified and interviewed the 19-year-old male. Detectives learned that Skylee stayed with him in Delray Beach for approximately two days. On April 28, the two traveled to Orlando, where Skylee asked to be dropped off at the Mai Hana Hotel, located on International Drive. She was last known to have stayed there with another adult male, who has not yet been identified.
Detectives have also learned that Skylee has been presenting herself as 18 years old and is using the alias “Valery.”
At this time, while investigators remain concerned that Skylee’s actions may be placing her at risk, there is no indication that she has been the victim of a crime. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
CORAL SPRINGS, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — A South Florida teenager remains missing after she was last seen in Tamarac, with Coral Springs Police continuing their investigation and community members now organizing a public show of support at City Hall.
Fifteen-year-old Skylee Merino was reported missing by her family on April 21. According to information shared publicly, she left her residence around 3 a.m. that day and later asked a friend for a ride. She was dropped off at Cypress Commons Plaza around 9 a.m., where she entered a vehicle with a man she had been communicating with on Snapchat.
About 30 minutes later, Skylee contacted the same friend asking to be picked up, but the friend was unable to leave school. She has not been heard from since.
Coral Springs Police said they have received a high volume of calls and messages related to the case, including claims circulating online that Skylee is in danger.
“The Coral Springs Police Department has received an increase in request into the investigation of fifteen-year-old, Skylee Merino,” the agency wrote in a public update. “In these requests, it was alleged that Skylee was in danger.”
Police said that, as of their last update, they have not received information indicating that she is in danger, and detectives are continuing to work to identify the individual she was last seen with.
The department is asking anyone who knows Skylee or has information about her whereabouts to contact Detective Daniel Powers at 954-346-1223 or by email at [email protected].
Online, the case has drawn significant attention across South Florida, including in Coral Springs, Tamrac, and Boca Raton groups, where posts about Skylee have been widely shared.
Community members have now organized an effort to bring attention to the case during an upcoming Coral Springs City Commission meeting.
A public gathering is planned at Coral Springs City Hall, located at 9500 W. Sample Road, with residents encouraged to attend and show support. Organizers are asking attendees to arrive early, with some suggesting as early as 5 p.m. ahead of the meeting start time.
The meeting itself is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., and organizers say even a brief appearance can help bring visibility to the case.
The event description emphasizes that Skylee remains missing and encourages the community to continue sharing information and raising awareness. Event details on Facebook.
As the search continues, police have not released additional details about her location or the person she was last seen with.
For residents in Boca Raton and surrounding areas, the case highlights how quickly missing person investigations can spread beyond city lines, particularly when information is shared widely on social media.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Coral Springs Police.
As of now, Skylee has not been located. Please, let's bring her home safe.
Stay with Boca Post for continued coverage — including updates in Coral Springs News.
