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Cochise County sheriff: EOD handles Wilcox explosive, trafficking case foiled, missing teen located
Summary
Sheriff Mark Danos told KWCD that Wilcox police and the county EOD safely resolved an explosive-device incident, investigators intercepted a child-trafficking attempt that saved an 8-year-old, and a missing 17-year-old was traced to San Diego as deputies continue family reunification efforts.
Sheriff Mark Danos described three recent public-safety incidents in Cochise County during a January interview on KWCD's First Watch.
Danos said explosive‑ordnance technicians responded to a device discovered in Wilcox and followed deliberate, safety‑first procedures to render the scene safe. He credited a longtime EOD operator, Tal Parker, and a newly trained technician, Alex, for the response and said, "we bring additional resources all about safety because, again, these these are explosive, vulnerable items that we wanna make sure we had everything in place because there is no rush." He told listeners the operation concluded safely.
On a separate case, Danos recounted that deputies working with Pinal County and Border Patrol interrupted a suspected trafficking movement involving an 8‑year‑old who had been coached to give a false name. According to Danos, a trafficking investigator interviewed the child, determined an adult driver was engaged in trafficking and the driver "admitted what she was doing." "We saved that 8 year old," Danos said, adding the adult will be "formally charged."
Danos also discussed a missing 17‑year‑old who left home without her phone or belongings. Investigators traced her crossing into California and identified her entering San Diego; Cochise County is coordinating with San Diego Police Department and the family to reunite her with relatives. "We have her, identified coming in to California and, into San Diego and that's the last we've seen of her," Danos said.
Danos framed all three matters as examples of methodical, multi‑agency work. He warned listeners against treating early social‑media accounts as authoritative evidence, noting the department holds to investigative standards before charging or public pronouncements.
The sheriff did not provide case numbers or additional suspect names on air. He said the county will post updates through official channels and encouraged anyone with information to contact local law enforcement.
