12-year-old girl found safe after 2-month search; Ohio man arrested

After a two-month search, Georgia police found a missing 12-year-old Gainesville girl alive in Ohio on July 25.

Maria Gomez-Perez disappeared from her home on May 29. Authorities discovered her with a 31-year-old man, Antonio Augustin, who she had been in communication with online.

Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch told reporters they did not detail any specific charges against Augustin, but he could face several felony charges for transporting a child across state lines. Authorities believe Augustin drove from his home in Ohio to pick up Maria from Gainesville on May 29. 

The investigation revealed that Maria had been communicating with Augustin and other adult males through Facebook and other online applications. Sheriff Couch stated, "Maria had indicated that she was unhappy and she wanted to leave home." He also emphasized, "Let me be very clear on this - Maria is the victim here. Remember she is only 12 years old."

The case took a significant turn when Maria allegedly messaged her father, Gomez Alonzo, on Facebook, asking him to stop searching for her. She used a newly created account to inform her father that she was doing all right and would not be returning home. This communication allowed authorities to trace the IP address to Dover, Ohio.

In collaboration with Tuscarawas County law enforcement in Ohio, Hall County authorities located Augustin with Maria at a local swimming pool. They subsequently arrested Augustin outside a shopping center and safely recovered Maria from the scene.

As of July 26, Augustin is in custody in Tuscarawas County. Hall County authorities are expected to bring charges against him as the investigation continues.