PHOENIX, AZ – Arizona has activated its first-ever Turquoise Alert, a new emergency notification system designed to aid in the search for missing and endangered individuals, particularly those from Indigenous communities. The alert was issued for 6-year-old Violet Coultas, who was last seen with her non-custodial mother, Sarah Coultas, at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on July 12, 2025, around 10 p.m. This marks a significant moment for the state, as the Turquoise Alert system was only recently established through “Emily’s Law” in May 2025.
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), Violet Coultas was reportedly taken by her mother, Sarah Coultas, in violation of a court order. Violet is described as a white female, 3 feet 10 inches tall, weighing approximately 43 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing a white shirt, a pink jacket, a pink sweater, light-colored shorts, and white shoes. Sarah Coultas, 48, is described as Caucasian, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 160 pounds, with straight brown hair and hazel eyes. Hawaii Island police are seeking Sarah Coultas for questioning in connection with a custodial interference investigation. The pair was reportedly last seen together in Hawaii on July 6, 2025, at 4 p.m., at the top of Miloli‘i Road in South Kona, and Sarah may be operating a silver 2005 or 2006 Toyota Corolla with a faded hood, though the license plate is unknown. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Akina with the Hawaii Police Department at 808-935-3311. (AZFamily, ABC15)
The activation of this alert underscores the critical role of the new Turquoise Alert system. Under its criteria, a law enforcement agency may request an alert if the missing person is under 65, all other local resources have been exhausted, the disappearance occurred under unexplained or suspicious circumstances, the person is in danger or with a potentially dangerous individual, and public information could aid in their safe recovery. This system fills a vital gap, complementing existing Amber Alerts for abducted children and Silver Alerts for missing seniors or those with cognitive impairments. (AZFamily)
The Turquoise Alert system was established through “Emily’s Law,” signed by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs in May 2025. The law is named in honor of 14-year-old Emily Pike, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, whose tragic disappearance and death brought national attention to the urgent need for improved notification systems for missing Indigenous persons. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has lauded the signing of Emily’s Law, recognizing it as a significant step towards addressing the deep and persistent disparities in response and justice for individuals from Indian Country who go missing. NCAI President Shannon Holsey emphasized that the law is “a crucial step towards addressing the needs of Indigenous communities” and reinforces “our shared responsibility to create a more just and equitable society for all.” (NCAI)
The implementation of Arizona’s Turquoise Alert system aligns with broader national efforts to enhance missing persons alerts. The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) new ‘Missing Endangered Persons’ Emergency Alert System Code (MEP) is set to go into effect in September 2025, expanding critical alert messages beyond Amber Alerts to include state-enacted alerts like Arizona’s Turquoise Alert. Furthermore, other states are also taking legislative action; New Mexico, for instance, introduced Senate Bill 41 in its 2025 session, mandating its Department of Public Safety to create and maintain a Turquoise Alert system specifically for the rapid dissemination of information relating to missing American Indians. This collective movement underscores a growing commitment to ensuring that all missing persons, particularly those from historically underserved communities, receive prompt and comprehensive attention. (NCAI, New Mexico Legislature)
