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Authorities in Austin have launched an urgent search to locate Ava Marie Gonzales, a nine-year-old Hispanic girl who has not been seen since December 2017, when she was just two years old and under the custody of her mother, Virginia Gonzales.
The disappearance of Ava has come to light following the arrest of her mother, who was detained on April 3 for possession of marijuana and subsequently charged with causing serious injuries to a minor after it was discovered that she had kept one of her seven-year-old daughters locked in a closet under inhumane conditions.
Shocking discovery
On April 3, Marina Rosales, the paternal grandmother of three of Gonzales's eight children, went to the apartment located at 5501 Ross Road, where she found her seven-year-old granddaughter malnourished, dirty, and sitting among feces inside a closet that was closed with a cable and blocked by heavy objects. She immediately called 911. According to Univision, the girl had been locked up for a month.
The Austin Police and emergency services transported the minor to Dell Children's Medical Center, where doctors confirmed she weighed only 29 pounds (approximately 13 kg) and suffered from severe brain atrophy due to malnutrition, a critical condition that poses a risk of refeeding syndrome, which can be potentially fatal.
In the apartment, there were six other minors aged between 2 and 14 years old, all of them siblings of the girl found in the closet. One of them recounted that their mother fed the girl only one hotdog a day and half a glass of water, and punished her for not informing that she needed to go to the bathroom.
Ava: seven years missing without being reported
During the investigation, authorities uncovered the existence of an eighth child: Ava Marie Gonzales. According to the police, there are no recent medical, school, or legal records for the minor, and she was never reported missing.
The Austin Police Department issued an official alert requesting citizen assistance and expressed concern for Ava's well-being, given the circumstances in which her younger sister was found.
Virginia Gonzales, 33 years old, has provided contradictory accounts regarding Ava's whereabouts to both family members and the police. Despite this, investigators remain hopeful that she is still alive.
The mother is being held at the Travis County Correctional Complex, with a bond set at $75,000. She faces charges of aggravated assault on a minor, although the accusations may expand as the investigation progresses.
Public call
The Austin Police Department (APD) has released a photograph of Ava taken when she was two years old, along with an age progression image. The girl is described as Hispanic, with straight hair and brown eyes. Her current height and weight are unknown.
The APD is seeking public assistance to locate their whereabouts. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers confidentially at 512-572-8477 or email ava@austintexas.gov.
According to Detective Russell Constable during a press conference, authorities are seriously concerned about Ava's well-being, given the terrifying findings regarding her younger sister.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Disappearance of Ava Marie Gonzales in Austin
Who is Ava Marie Gonzales and how long has she been missing?
Ava Marie Gonzales is a nine-year-old Hispanic girl who has been missing since December 2017. At that time, she was only two years old and was in her mother, Virginia Gonzales's, custody.
Why has the search for Ava Marie Gonzales been reactivated?
The search for Ava Marie Gonzales was reignited following the arrest of her mother, Virginia Gonzales, for possession of marijuana and child abuse. The abuse situation involving one of her other children led to a more thorough investigation that uncovered Ava's unreported disappearance.
What actions is the Austin Police taking to find Ava?
The Austin Police have issued an official alert requesting citizens' help to locate Ava. They have published photographs of the girl and an age progression image to aid in her identification. Additionally, they are investigating all possible leads regarding her whereabouts.
What charges does Ava's mother, Virginia Gonzales, face?
Virginia Gonzales faces charges of serious injury to a minor and is being held on a $75,000 bond. The charges could expand as the investigation into Ava's disappearance progresses.
How can the community assist in the search for Ava Marie Gonzales?
The public can help by providing any information that may assist in locating Ava. You can contact Crime Stoppers confidentially at 512-572-8477 or email ava@austintexas.gov.
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