COTTONWOOD, Arizona — Cottonwood Police are urgently seeking the public’s help to find 16-year-old Jalen Palmer, last seen on March 30, 2025, near N. Main Street and E. Mingus Ave. in Cottonwood. Jalen, who may have been recently spotted in Camp Verde on the Yavapai Apache Reservation, could be with friends or a girlfriend, adding complexity to the search efforts.
Jalen is described as being between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing around 130 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. His clothing at the time of disappearance is unknown, which makes identifying him more challenging. The Cottonwood Police are particularly concerned due to his age and the lack of clear information about his current whereabouts. Cottonwood, a city of about 12,000 in Yavapai County, is near Camp Verde, a smaller town of around 11,000, and the Yavapai Apache Reservation, where community ties often play a critical role in such cases.
The urgency of this case echoes other missing persons incidents in the Verde Valley. Historical data from local news sources like verdenews.com shows the region has dealt with similar situations, often involving teens or vulnerable individuals, with outcomes varying from safe returns to prolonged searches. The involvement of the Yavapai Apache Reservation suggests potential cultural or jurisdictional layers that could affect the investigation, as tribal lands often require coordination between local and tribal law enforcement. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Cottonwood Police at 928-634-4246 or the Missing in America tip line at 844-642-5678.
