FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Jodi Lewis, (404) 457-3589, jodi@jdlewisgroup.com

ATTORNEY FOR THE FAMILY OF MIYA MARCANO RESPONDS TO THE

HEAVILY REDACTED INCIDENT REPORT RELEASED BY ORANGE
COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

DALLAS, Tx (October 16, 2021) – After reviewing the recently released incident report (no. 21-69005) that provides some
details into the disappearance of Miya Marcano, Attorney Washington said he is left with even more questions.

“Upon review of the incident report, my team immediately noticed that a large portion of the report was heavily redacted.
Additionally, Washington states that there are a number of things in the incident report that conflict with witness statements
and the physical evidence. The incident report lacks critical details regarding the condition of the room upon entry and signs
that there was a struggle. The incident report does detail the fact that Caballero admitted that he attempted to date Miya, but
his advances were rejected by her but leaves out that Deputy Paulino was told by at least two witnesses prior to encountering
Caballero that Caballero had been harassing Miya and made her feel uncomfortable. Despite having ample evidence and
reasonable suspicion to detain Caballero, Deputy Paulino allowed Caballero to leave the scene. Deputy Paulino’s actions fall
below the national standards and for the manner in which he handled the investigation, Washington is calling for Deputy
Paulino to be terminated.

“Sheriff Mina, in one of his press conferences, stated that Deputy Paulino could not detain Caballero based on a hunch”,
essentially ratifying the conduct of his deputy. We believe that Deputy Paulino had more than enough evidence to detain
Caballero based on the fact that Caballero had full access to Miya’s room, he admitted that he wanted to date Miya but she
declined his advances, he was driving around the Arden Villas at 3 a.m., he stated “why would I be here if I was guilty” but
at that time no one had accused him of anything, initially lying about the last time he saw Miya, and the statements he
received from witnesses. If Deputy Paulino did not have enough information to detain Caballero during his initial encounter,
he most certainly obtained additional evidence that would require him to do so when family members produced videotape of
Caballero carrying Miya’s blanket” Attorney Washington continues.”

“Had the investigating deputies and management of the Arden Villas simply checked the key fob system when they were
provided with credible evidence that Miya was missing, the outcome may have been different. Miya was failed by officials
who had the ability to protect her and act with a sense of urgency but did not view this incident as being a priority. Sheriff
Mina’s assertion that the way the investigation was handled/mishandled would have not mattered because Miya was already
dead is simply ridiculous, without support and a very insensitive statement to have made when Miya’s family and the
community were grieving from Miya’s death. We have not been presented with any evidence that confirms the cause of death
or the actual place of Miya’s death, says Washington. What we do know is that critical hours were lost and if it hadn’t been
for this family’s strength and determination we may still be searching for Miya.”

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ABOUT THE WASHINGTON LAW FIRM

Washington Law Firm, P.C., based in Dallas, TX, represents clients in Civil Rights law (including police brutality, police
misconduct, wrongful arrest, wrongful death), Premise Liability, Negligent hiring and Entrustment, Sports, Entertainment
and Media matters, Business Transactions, Commercial and General litigation matters, Settlement Negotiations, Contract
and Business Practice disputes, and other matters involving complex and unique issues.