Hunt for Missing 12-Year-Old Girl in Georgia Heats Up with $50K Reward

Georgia officials are now offering $50,000 for the safe return of 12-year-old who has been missing for nearly one month.

Maria Gomez-Perez was last seen at her home on Westside Drive off Pearl Nix Parkway in Gainesville on May 29 at around 10 a.m. She is 5 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs between 100 and 110 pounds. She has brown eyes and long black hair.

Officials said it is believed that she was wearing a bright blue shirt, but no other clothing description is available.

The reward money has been contributed by businesses and community members that would like to remain anonymous, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release posted to Facebook.

“As I said last week, someone in the community has that single clue or one piece of information that could lead to finding Maria. I am hopeful the increased reward will prompt that person to come forward,” Sheriff Gerald Couch said in the release. “Meanwhile, our personnel remain vigilant in their investigation.”

The sheriff’s office, with help from other local, state and federal law enforcement officials, have fielded 142 tips related to Gomez-Perez’s disappearance. Some of these tips are still under investigation, but many have already been examined and deemed not useful.

Where is Maria Gomez-Perez?

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Gainesville Police Department, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the Consulate General of Guatemala in Atlanta are all assisting in the investigation, Couch said at a press conference on June 11.

Couch also said he believed that Gomez-Perez is “very much so” endangered due to her age and the amount of time she has been missing.

“There’s so many possibilities where she could be and what could have happened to her and so we’re exploring every single avenue that we possibly can,” Couch said.

In addition to fielding tips, authorities have conducted interviews with Gomez-Perez’s family, friends, neighbors and school officials. They are looking into electronic devices and social media records for potential information and tips.

They have also conducted targeted ground searches with K-9s and drones. Officials used a marine unit boat to search Lake Lanier, a reservoir that runs through several counties, including Hall County.

The sheriff’s office also reminded community members that Gomez-Perez’s appearance may have changed since going missing. They also warned against individual searches.

“Those who are searching on their own should be very cautious and not conduct their own investigations into Maria’s disappearance,” the sheriff’s office said. “Individual searches could be dangerous for citizens and for Maria as well.”

Anyone with information should contact (770) 503-3232 or email intelrequest@hallcounty.org.

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