A massive search is currently underway for a young girl named Ava Marie Gonzales, who is now feared to have disappeared in 2017. The authorities only became aware of her disappearance recently when her mother, Virginia Marie Gonzales, was arrested in Texas for allegedly locking Ava’s starving sister in a closet.
Ava, who would be 9 years old now, was last seen in the custody of her mother when she was just 2 years old. Despite not being reported missing, the Austin Police Department has issued an alert for her.
The search for Ava was initiated after her mother was apprehended on April 24 on charges of child abuse. It was revealed that Ava’s 7-year-old sister had been confined to a closet for a month with minimal food, weighing a mere 29 pounds when she was discovered by authorities during a welfare check.
The young girl had suffered severe malnutrition and brain damage from the prolonged starvation. Six other children, ranging in age from 2 to 14 years old, were found in the home but showed no signs of abuse. Investigators also found an adequate amount of food in the residence.
The shocking discovery of Ava’s disappearance was made during the investigation into her sister’s case. Detective Russell Constable expressed serious concern for Ava’s well-being given the circumstances surrounding her sister’s confinement.
Ava is described as a Hispanic female with straight brown hair and brown eyes. The authorities have released a photo of Ava as a toddler, along with an age-progression image to show what she might look like now at 9 years old.
Detective Constable emphasized the urgency of finding Ava, stating that her mother has provided conflicting information to family members. The police are hoping to gather more information to determine Ava’s whereabouts and ensure her safety.
The search for Ava continues as law enforcement officers work diligently to locate the missing girl and bring her to safety.
