Atlanta, Georgia.- After an intense search that lasted nearly 60 days, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the discovery of 12-year-old Maria Gomez-Perez. The minor disappeared on May 29 in Gainesville, Georgia She was found in Dover, Ohio. The minor will return home this Friday.
Maria was saved thanks to the investigation that began then Her father informed authorities that the girl had communicated through a new Facebook Messenger account.To tell him that she was okay, that she wouldn’t come home and to stop looking for her.
“Maria had indicated to him that she was not happy and would like to leave the home. She communicated with the man constantly and left as she wished, but It is important to highlight that she is 12 years old, she is the victim in this case and she cannot even make such decisions.”Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch said.
Investigators traced the IP address used in those social media messages to a phone in Ohio and managed to locate it in the city of Dover.
Four Hall County investigators traveled to Dover this week, where they tracked the phone to a city pool. There, they saw a man next to it, Couch said.
With the assistance of Tuscarawas County deputies, investigators followed them to the parking lot of a nearby shopping center, where Eventually it was recovered.
A 34-year-old man, Identified as Antonio Agustin, a resident of Dover and Guatemala. was arrested in connection with the case. At present, investigations are underway to clarify all the details of the disappearance.
Couch also confirmed that the man traveled to Georgia on May 29 to meet Gomez-Perez, with whom he had interacted on social media and other applications, at her home and that the two of them had been traveling to Ohio since that time.
The sheriff said the woman had been talking to other people through the apps before she went missing and had told them she was “unhappy and wanted to leave home.”
The 34-year-old man is in custody in Ohio, where he lives and could be arrested. Multiple felony charges have been filed in this case in both Ohio and Georgia, Couch said.
The officer expressed gratitude for the hard work done by the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) and law enforcement partners.
“The tireless work of our CIB, law enforcement partners, and the community resulted in the best possible outcome,” Couch said. “Our prayers for Mary’s safe return have been answered.”
Maria was taken to a clinic for medical evaluation. before being sent back to Gainesville, Georgia, where he is expected to arrive this Friday. “He is in good health, “He was taken to a local hospital to be checked out,” Couch said.
Officials took the opportunity to ask parents to keep an eye on their children and the friends they make on social networks, underlining the importance of online safety. “I can’t let this moment go by without asking parents, grandparents and guardians to keep a close eye on your children. Technology is a wonderful thing. “It helped us find Maria, but it can also be used for evil.”Couch recalled.
When asked where the minor would live after running away from home, Couch said they are evaluating it. “In interviews Mariah told us she wants to go somewhere else, but we are working with the Georgia State Office of the Division of Family and Child Services.” about what are the best interests and what steps should be taken”Couch said.
The cooperation of the FBI, GBI, Homeland Security, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was critical to the success of the operation.
The investigation included interviews of family members, school authorities, friends of the girl and the family, neighbours, etc. Data analysis on social networks and electronic devices.
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