Rochester Police Search for Two Missing Children

The Rochester Police Department is looking for two children last seen with their mother on October 23.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Child Care

Bold flat-color editorial illustration depicting a massive, minimalist stone civic building facade, evoking the gravity of a formal police search.
Rochester police are actively searching for seven-year-old Mateo Paul and five-year-old Avaya Paul, who were taken without custody on October 23. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The Rochester Police Department is actively searching for two missing children, Mateo Paul, 7, and Avaya Paul, 5. They were last seen with their biological mother, Jessenya Rodriguez-Rivera, on October 23, 2026, and the department reports she does not have custody.

Why it matters

The urgent search for the two children is a priority for the Rochester community due to the unauthorized nature of their removal from a custodial situation. Police are currently working to determine the whereabouts of the three individuals to ensure the children are recovered safely.

Mateo Paul is 4 feet tall and 65 pounds, while Avaya Paul is 3 feet tall and 50 pounds, with both children having black hair and brown eyes. Jessenya Rodriguez-Rivera is described as 5-foot-4 and 190 pounds.

The players

Rochester Police Department

The local law enforcement agency responsible for public safety and investigation in Rochester.

The details

The children were last seen in the company of their biological mother, Jessenya Rodriguez-Rivera, who does not have legal custody. Authorities in Rochester are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and seeking information from the public to assist in the recovery. The police have released identifying characteristics for all three individuals to aid in the search efforts.

Timeline

  1. October 23, 2026: Children were last seen with their mother.

The Home Front

This incident follows standard procedures for child welfare cases where custody is legally contested. It highlights the importance of established protocols for emergency notification when a child's safety is considered at risk.

Residents who have information regarding the location of Mateo and Avaya Paul should contact the Rochester Police Department immediately. Keeping descriptions of vulnerable family members, including height and weight, readily available can assist authorities in emergency situations.

The takeaway

The community is urged to provide any actionable information to local law enforcement to assist in the swift recovery of the children. Keep relevant contact information for the Rochester Police Department saved in your phone or household files for quick access if needed.

Further reading

For resources on local family safety and support, see Child Care.