Case # 20-2531
On July 24, 2020, The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Detective Bureau received information from Child Protective Services (CPS) regarding possible child abuse that had occurred within the city of Rohnert Park. CPS said they were in contact with authorities in Mexico who had two victim children, female (17) and male (15) in protective custody because of alleged child abuse by their adoptive parents Gina Centeno and Jose Centeno. The children had been brought from Rohnert Park to Mexico by their adoptive parents approximately 1.5 years ago to live with extended family. Rohnert Park Detectives and the FBI were able to work with the US Embassy and Child Protective Services to get the children to a safe place in Sonoma County where they could be forensically interviewed.
After interviewing the children, there were allegations of emotional, sexual and physical abuse that had occurred over an eight to ten year period of time. During an interview a reference was made about their older “sister” Kaya that used to live with them in Rohnert Park. The children said Kaya went missing from their Rohnert Park home approximately eight to ten years ago and she has not been heard from or seen since.
Kaya and her two siblings were adopted in 2008 by Gina and Jose Centeno who live in Rohnert Park. Kaya may have an AKA of Kaya Whitney Kazzee. At the time she went missing, her name was Kaya Marie Centeno. Kaya was enrolled into John Reed School in Rohnert Park and then removed in the second grade (2010-2011) to be home schooled.
Detectives were able to obtain search warrants for the Rohnert Park home where the children alleged the abuse took place. Detectives found evidence to corroborate the victim’s statements about the abuse and subsequently arrested both Gina and Jose Centeno for PC 209(a) – Aggravated Kidnapping.
Gina and Jose were booked into the Sonoma County Jail and each are being held on $18 million dollars bail.
The kidnapping portion of the case has been turned over to the Sonoma County District Attorney for prosecution. Any further questions regarding the kidnapping portion of the case should be directed to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office.
Rohnert Park Detectives were able to use a photo of Kaya and have it digitally enhanced and age progressed to estimate what Kaya would look like today. Kaya turned 18 in May 2020. This is still an active missing person’s investigation and many leads are still being processed. Rohnert Park Detectives are currently working with the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in an effort to locate Kaya. The attached photos are of her at age 7 and then age progressed to age 18.
The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety is asking for any information related to the whereabouts of Kaya Centeno or Kaya Kazzee. If you have seen Kaya or have any information, Please call the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety at 707-584-2612.
