Teen Who Disappeared Turns Up

An Irvine teenager who disappeared last week was found Monday morning in San Diego, authorities said.

The parents of Brandon Novoa, who went to pick him up Monday, said the 16-year-old had been intimidated by a group of older students and had run away because he was scared.

Irvine Police Lt. Sam Allevato said Brandon had been staying with a family in San Diego but told investigators Monday that he could not recall the circumstances of his disappearance.

Brandon had last been seen at Woodbridge High School shortly after 3 p.m. Wednesday. Investigators said then that he had been in a fight at a park with students from another Irvine school.

Leslie Novoa said she believed that a group of older students had attacked her son, prompting him to run away.

“He didn’t want me to see his wounds because he knew I was going to press charges,” Leslie Novoa said. “He was afraid to come home . . . because I would not allow them to get away with it.”

The sophomore had been staying with a family in San Diego that had seen the teenager and offered him a place to stay; he did not know the family. After five days, Brandon called his parents, who rushed to San Diego to pick him up.

“We were ecstatic when he called,” Leslie Novoa said. “I’m just so glad he’s home.”