By Stephen Stirling
Police said Josephine Garcia was last seen in front of her home at 94-16 84th St. around Jan. 2 at 4 p.m. She is described as 5 foot 3 inches tall, weighing about 150 pounds. Police said she was last seen wearing blue jeans, black sneakers and a red jacket. Police said Josephine is in good physical condition, but her mental condition is poor, making it paramount that she be found as quickly as possible. Her family could not be reached for comment. Josephine is not the only teen to have vanished in the community recently. In late November, family members said Diana Varela, 15, of 106-23 97th St. in Ozone Park disappeared after being seen with friends on Atlantic Avenue near the corner of 102nd Street in Woodhaven. Shirley Varela, Diana's sister, said Diana has long, curly auburn-colored hair and weighs about 115 pounds. She was last seen Nov. 27 wearing a bright blue North Face jacket, dark blue jeans, bright blue Nike sneakers and had a small gray and white North Face backpack. As of Friday afternoon, neither Josephine nor Diana had been found. Police were asking anyone with information on either of the girls' whereabouts to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 162.
