A missing child is a gut punch to not only their family and friends but to their entire community. Some kids, tragically, are never found or are killed by abductors.
But a 12-year-old girl who went missing recently returned home safely. Maria Gomez-Perez of Gainesville, Georgia, was found after going missing on May 29, 2024. Disturbingly, she was discovered nine hours away with an adult man she met online.
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On July 25, 2024, the Hall County Sheriff's Office released a statement via Facebook announcing that Gomez-Perez had been located. The department noted, "Maria is safe and OK."
"The tireless work of our CIB, law enforcement partners and the community has resulted in the best possible outcome," Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch said. "Our prayers for Maria’s safe return have been answered."
At a press briefing, Sheriff Couch reported that the girl was found 12 hours away with Antonio Agustin, 31, of Dover, Ohio. Couch said they allegedly met online, communicating via Facebook and other apps.
"Maria had indicated that she was unhappy and she wanted to leave home," Couch said, noting that Gomez-Perez also communicated with other "adult males" online.
"Let me be very clear on this: Maria is the victim here," Couch added. "Remember she is only 12 years old."
Recently, Gomez-Perez messaged her father, Gomez Alonzo, via Facebook. She asked him to stop looking for her on a new account she created, also telling her dad she was OK and would not return home. From there, authorities discovered her location by tracing the IP address to Dover, Ohio.
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Agustin was arrested outside of a shopping center. As of July 26, he was being held in a jail in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, but is scheduled to be extradited to Georgia. Authorities in Hall County, Georgia, are expected to file charges against him.
Allegedly, Agustin drove from Ohio to pick up the child in Gainesville on May 29, Couch said during the conference. Police have not announced charges against him, as of writing. However, Couch noted he may face multiple felony charges because he moved a minor across state lines.
