Search underway for Ventura County woman with autism missing for over a week

OJAI, Calif. (KABC) -- Authorities are seeking the public's help in finding a woman with autism who walked away from her home in Ventura County and disappeared.

Zyanya Valora, 21, was last seen the night of June 24 at her home on North Ventura Avenue in Mira Monte near Ojai, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.

Since then, search and rescue teams from Ventura, Kern, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties have been deployed to try and find her.

"We went to gas stations, they don't have any footage, and they didn't see her. Any of the other restaurants around, any fast food restaurants, none of them have any clue of where she can be," said Damaris Dac, Valora's mother.

Her family is desperate to find her.

"We've been posting flyers, looking on the trails, on the rivers, on the creeks," said her father, Gabriel Valora. He added that lately, his daughter has been acting more reclusive and not wanting to talk - even to her parents.

"She understands everything. If she wants to talk to you she'll talk," he said.

Community members have been actively searching for the past week. Now as temperatures start to climb, search crews are worried about yet another threat she may have to face - the extreme heat.

"It does get really hot up here in Ojai, and at night time the temps drop and it's really cold as well. It's imperative if any one sees her, just call 911. If possible, keep eyes on her while they're on the line," said Deputy Sheriff Alberto Castellanos with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.

"You can help in the search by walking your private property to check buildings and thick brush, where Zyanya could find refuge. Also, check any home surveillance footage for sightings of Zyanya," the law enforcement agency said in a press release.

She is described as being 5 feet tall, weighing 90 pounds with black hair and dark brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a white top, shorts and no shoes.

Authorities say Valora is considered at-risk and may not be communicative if approached.

Anybody with information about her whereabouts is urged to call the sheriff's office at (805) 654-9511.