Authorities have discovered that a 12-year-old girl from Georgia who went missing in late May was found in Ohio with a Guatemalan man she met online. Maria Gomez-Perez was located in Dover, Ohio, eight weeks after her disappearance from Gainesville, Georgia, according to Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Guatemalan national Antonio Agustin, has been arrested in connection with the girl’s disappearance.
Law enforcement believes that Maria Gomez-Perez had been communicating with Mr. Agustin and other adult males through Facebook Messenger and other online apps. Sheriff Couch emphasized that Maria is a victim in this situation, as she is only 12 years old. The girl had expressed unhappiness and a desire to leave home, prompting her to connect with strangers online.
Investigations revealed that Mr. Agustin traveled to Gainesville on May 29, picked up Ms. Gomez-Perez, and took her to his residence in Dover the same day. Maria contacted her father via Facebook Messenger last week, assuring him of her safety and requesting him to cease searching for her. By tracing the IP address of her social media account, authorities were able to locate her in Dover.
After spotting Ms. Gomez-Perez with the man at a swimming pool in Dover City Park, investigators followed them to a nearby shopping center parking lot and apprehended Mr. Agustin. Maria has undergone a wellness check at a local hospital, and charges will be filed against Mr. Agustin in consultation with the District Attorney’s Office.
Sheriff Couch urged parents to monitor their children’s online activities to ensure their well-being, emphasizing the potential risks associated with online communication. The community rallied together in search efforts for Maria, offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to her safe return.
