Authorities remain mum on juvenile murder case

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Authorities remained tight-lipped Wednesday about a case involving a dead San Diego teenager and two other girls who went missing, following a court hearing for a juvenile arrested on suspicion of being an accessory.

Few details have been released regarding the death of Anna Hernandez, 14, whose body was found behind a Grant Hill apartment building Nov. 18. Because of the nature of juvenile proceedings, details about the hearing — including the identity of the defendant and charges — were not released.

A request by reporters to view the hearing was denied by Judge Ronald Johnson. Anna’s body was found in an open area off the 2900 block of Market Street, five days after she went missing.

Police said an autopsy determined she died of at least one gunshot wound to the upper body. One of the two missing girls, 12-year-old Nelly Espinoza, was found safe by her grandfather Friday in Tijuana, and was turned over to U.S. customs officers and San Diego Police Department investigators, police said.

Police are still searching for 16-year-old Janeth Mendoza, a friend of Hernandez’s. She was last seen Oct. 28. near 3000 Webster St., according to police.

Mendoza is described as 5 feet 5 inches, 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes and a Chargers bolt tattoo on her neck as well as “Bella” on her right forearm and "Perla” on her left forearm.

Mendoza is believed to be in Mexico, police said. A 19-year-old wanted by police in connection with the case, Daniel Flores, remained at large.