A California family wants answers after a mother and her baby went missing nearly a month ago. Whisper Owen, 36, and her 8-month-old daughter, Sandra McCarthy, reportedly went to Fresno on July 15, 2025, to see the baby’s doctor. A traffic camera captured Owen’s SUV in Fresno and Atwater later that day. Sadly, she never made it back to her home, Elk Grove in Sacramento County, and her family fears the worst.
In July, Owen’s mother, Vickie Torres, told KCRA that she saw her daughter and granddaughter the day they disappeared. But says she hasn’t heard from them since and the silence is worrying her.
“The only thing she had to do was stop and get a can of formula because she was on her last bottle,” she said.
Torres does not believe her daughter ran away because she has three other children to care for.
“The not knowing, it’s brought me to a point where I’m — it’s a cross between anger and numb,” Torres told the news outlet. “I’m terrified. I’m just terrified.”
Sandra’s sister, Andrea McCarthy, told KCRA she’s concerned about the mother and baby’s safety.
“Her car is no longer popping up on any traffic cams. Her phone’s been off,” McCarthy shared. “Your mind goes through all the terrible possibilities.”
Newly released surveillance footage shows Owen’s car in Waterford, much further north than originally believed, per KCRA. Investigators now think the mother may have driven on back roads.
The news outlet reported that Owen had an active warrant tied to a 2020 felony child abuse case in Sacramento County. She reportedly pleaded no contest to the charge in 2021, and a judge ordered her to complete a work project. She allegedly never did, which resulted in the arrest warrant.
Per the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Owen and Sandra were last seen in 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer with California license plate 9LKH008. The vehicle reportedly has damage to its driver’s side headlight. Anyone with information should contact the sheriff’s office at (599) 600-3111.
