A 12-year-old girl from Georgia who went missing in May has been found in Ohio, and a suspect has been arrested.
Maria Gomez-Perez was located in Dover, Ohio, on Thursday. She was found at a shopping center with 31-year-old Antonio Agustin from Guatemala.
According to Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch, Maria had expressed unhappiness at home and wanted to leave. Agustin allegedly drove to Georgia to meet her on May 29.
The case made progress last week when Maria contacted her father through a new social media account, telling him she was safe and to stop searching. Detectives traced her IP address to Ohio, leading to Agustin’s arrest on suspicion of rape. More charges could follow.
Sheriff Couch noted, “Technology helped us find Maria, but it also allowed her to leave with a stranger and travel nine hours from home.”
Blue & Gold NLR Team is a dedicated journalist at blueandgoldnlr.com, where he provides insightful and up-to-date news coverage. With a passion for uncovering the truth and a commitment to delivering accurate information, Blue & Gold NLR Team brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team. His work ensures readers stay informed about the latest events and developments.