News Summary
Authorities in Austin are urgently seeking information about Ava Marie Gonzales, a 9-year-old girl missing since she was 2. Her sister was recently rescued from a home in severe neglect, intensifying the investigation. Ava’s mother has been arrested, raising concerns about child welfare in the area. The police are asking the public for assistance as they continue to search for Ava, who remains unaccounted for amid alarming circumstances.
Austin, Texas – Authorities are urgently seeking information regarding the whereabouts of Ava Marie Gonzales, a 9-year-old girl who has been missing since December 2017. Ava was last seen by friends and family when she was merely 2 years old, and her disappearance was not reported until recently, raising serious concerns about her well-being.
The investigation into Ava’s case intensified after a disturbing emergency call on April 3, which led to the discovery of a 7-year-old girl found locked in a closet and suffering from severe malnourishment. The young girl, identified as Ava’s sister, was taken to a local hospital where she is currently recovering. Following this incident, six other children were located in the home, appearing healthy, while Ava remained unaccounted for.
Ava’s mother, Virginia Marie Gonzales, 33, was subsequently arrested on April 24 and charged with causing serious injury to a child. She is being held at the Travis County Correctional Complex on a bond set at $75,000. Reports indicate that Virginia Gonzales provided conflicting information about Ava’s location to family members, further complicating the investigation.
Details Surrounding the Investigation
The alarm was raised when medical staff attended to the 7-year-old girl, who was described as malnourished, soiled, and barricaded inside a cramped closet measuring approximately 4 feet 9 inches by 1 foot 10 inches. The girl weighed only 29 pounds and displayed dark spots on her body, indicative of serious neglect and malnutrition. According to an older sibling, she had received minimal food and water, and the closet had items obstructing it, further restricting her movement.
While the other children found in the home appeared to be healthy, none of them, including Ava, were believed to be enrolled in school. Ava is described as a Hispanic female with straight brown hair and brown eyes, but her current weight and height are unknown due to her being missing for seven years. To aid in the search, the Austin Police Department has released age-progressed images of Ava to provide a clearer picture of what she may look like today.
Community Involvement and Support
The Austin Police Department is actively soliciting assistance from the public in hopes of locating Ava. They encourage anyone with information about her whereabouts to reach out via email at ava@austintexas.gov or to submit anonymous tips by calling (512) 572 – 8477.
Background on Ava’s Circumstances
Ava’s case has become a focal point for child welfare advocates and law enforcement, highlighting the alarming prevalence of child neglect and abuse. The manner of her disappearance, along with the conditions surrounding her sister’s rescue, has led to heightened scrutiny of family dynamics and protective services in the area. The situation calls attention to the importance of rapid reporting and intervention in cases of child endangerment.
As the search for Ava continues, authorities urge the community to remain vigilant and responsive to any information that could lead to her recovery. With a pressing need for answers and potential resolution, the investigation serves as a reminder of the critical role that public awareness and involvement can play in safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable children.
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Additional Resources
- NBC News: Texas Girl Found in Closet
- Wikipedia: Ava Marie Gonzales
- ABC News: Texas Missing Girl Investigation
- Google Search: Ava Marie Gonzales
- People: Texas Flood Missing Child Search
- Google Scholar: Child Neglect Texas
- The Statesman: Flood and Missing Child in Texas
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Welfare Texas
- People: Missing Girl Swept Away by Flood in Texas
- Google News: Texas Missing Child
