Maria Gomez-Perez, missing for eight weeks from Gainesville, has been found safe in Dover, Ohio. The search ended when authorities apprehended Antonio Agustin, now held in the Tuscarawas County Jail on charges connected to Maria’s disappearance.
The break in the case came when Maria contacted her father through a newly created Facebook account. She informed him she was safe but had no plans to return home. Her father immediately alerted investigators, who then traced the IP address and phone number linked to the new account, leading them to Dover.
Authorities believe Agustin traveled to Gainesville on May 29, the same day Maria vanished from her Westside Drive residence. Evidence suggests that Maria, discontented and wanting to leave home, had been communicating with Agustin and other adult men through Facebook Messenger and other apps. Sheriff Gerald Couch reminded residents that despite communicating with the older men, Maria is still the victim. “She is only 12 years old. She is the victim here,” he said.
Investigators from the Hall County Sheriff’s Office traveled to Dover, pinpointing Maria’s location at Dover City Park swimming pool. Surveillance led them to a nearby shopping center parking lot where they recovered Maria and arrested Agustin.
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Gomez-Perez was taken to a local hospital for a wellness check and found to be in good physical health. She is now on her way back to Georgia. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working with the Hall County District Attorney’s Office to press charges against Agustin.
Sheriff Couch thanked the community for their support and implored parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities. “Technology can be a double-edged sword,” he remarked. “It helped us find Maria, but it also facilitated her abduction. We must protect our most vulnerable citizens.”
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