California issues Feather Alert for 23-year-old Indigenous woman missing after last being seen in San Francisco

Alert activated after reported disappearance

California authorities have issued a Feather Alert for a 23-year-old Indigenous woman who has been missing since late January after last being seen in San Francisco. The statewide alert was activated on February 11, 2026, following a report made to law enforcement on February 10.

The missing woman was identified as Mi-Kayla Ann French, who is affiliated with the Yurok Tribe. Officials said she was last seen around noon on January 27, 2026, in San Francisco and is believed to be on foot.

Description released; clothing details unavailable

Authorities described French as 5 feet 6 inches tall, approximately 160 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. No description of what she was wearing when she was last seen has been released.

Officials asked anyone who sees French or has information that could help locate her to call 911.

What a Feather Alert is, and when it can be used

California’s Feather Alert program is a statewide emergency notification tool available to law enforcement investigating the suspicious or unexplained disappearance of an Indigenous woman or Indigenous person. The program began on January 1, 2023, after legislation established criteria and procedures for issuing the alerts.

Under state law, a Feather Alert can be requested when investigators determine that specific conditions are met, including that the person is missing, believed to be in danger under circumstances indicating possible endangerment, trafficking, or a mental or physical disability or substance use disorder, and that releasing information to the public could assist in a safe recovery.

• Designed for cases involving Indigenous women or Indigenous persons reported missing under suspicious or unexplained circumstances
• Requires investigators to determine the person is missing and believed to be in danger
• Relies on the availability of actionable information that could help the public identify the person or associated circumstances

How the public can help right now

Authorities emphasized that timely, specific observations can be critical in missing-person cases. People who believe they have relevant information are being asked to contact emergency services rather than attempting to intervene themselves.

If you have information that could help locate Mi-Kayla Ann French, call 911.

Feather Alerts are intended to rapidly disseminate identifying details to the public to support safe recovery efforts. Officials have not released additional circumstances surrounding French’s disappearance.