In September 2021, Deputy Paulino responded to a well-being check for Miya Marcano, a 19-year-old reported missing. Despite evidence suggesting foul play, including a barricaded door and blood on a pillow, Paulino classified Marcano as a ‘voluntary missing person’ and did not escalate the case. This misclassification delayed the investigation. Paulino received a 150-hour unpaid suspension for his handling of the case. In September 2023, Marcano’s family filed a lawsuit against the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Paulino, alleging negligence and civil rights violations.
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