“Very grateful. Have been waiting and waiting for this day.”
The father of Maria Gomez-Perez, the 12-year-old Gainesville girl who was missing for two months before being located in Ohio on Thursday, reacting Friday to the news that she was safe and on her way home.
Speaking to reporters outside his Westside Drive home, Andres Gomez Lonso expressed his immense relief and gratitude, saying he had trusted in God and is thankful that his daughter is alive and coming home.
Authorities said Friday the youngster was found in Dover, Ohio, in the company of a 34-year-old man she met on social media, who is likely to face charges in Georgia and Ohio. UPDATE #3: Break in Maria’s case came when she contacted her father (wgtjradio.com)
As for the man she was with, SRN NEWS reports that Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Capt. Adam Fisher told The Associated Press that Antonio Agustin is being held on a Georgia charge of interference with custody, but Ohio officials could later seek charges of rape and other crimes. Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch said Friday Georgia authorities are likely to seek additional criminal charges against Augustin.
Augustin had not yet seen a judge as of Friday and no bail had been set, Fisher said. Augustin doesn’t have an attorney who could speak for him, Fisher said. An extradition hearing to Georgia is likely next week with Ohio officials planning to prosecute Augustin after legal proceedings conclude in Georgia, Fisher added.
Fisher said federal immigration officials have placed a detainer on Augustin, indicating they could seek to deport him, but Fisher said he didn’t know Augustin’s immigration status. Augustin’s only previous encounter with law enforcement in Tuscarawas County came in 2021 when he was cited for driving without a license and with an open container of alcohol.