Community members are preparing to unveil a new banner in memory of a missing person in downtown Gainesville on Friday.
A large poster featuring a photo of Maria Gomez-Perez will hang at the intersection of Jesse Jewell Parkway and Bradford Street.
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The 12-year-old Lyman Elementary School student was living with her father, Andres Gomez, in Gainesville when she disappeared. He reported her missing on May 29.
He told Channel 2’s Courtney Francisco that he and his family are from Guatemala, and he speaks primarily Spanish. His daughter speaks both Spanish and English.
He said the Hall County Sheriff’s Office has checked sightings and leads in seven states, but none of the information has led to her location.
On Wednesday, the girl was one of 22 Georgia children listed as missing in the FBI’s National Crime Information Center database.
“My heart breaks,” said Art Gallegos, Jr.
Gallegos is a community leader in Hall County who is helping the girl’s family in their search.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation counted 1,500 missing child cases this year. The GBI said that number often shifts due to multiple people reporting the same case and cancellations. According to the GBI, crime does not appear to be getting worse this year.
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According to the National Center for Missing and Exploiting Children, the reasons why children disappear range from abductions by family members to online enticement.
Maria’s father said agents are investigating cellphones and social media interactions. He said they have followed up on leads and possible sightings in seven other states.
There is a $50,000 reward available for whoever returns home safely.
On Wednesday, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office sent an update on the case, saying investigators are not giving up hope.
The following tips were also given for the community to take into account:
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𝐃𝐎 keep your eyes peeled for Maria. HCSO has shared photos on the agency’s Facebook, Instagram, and X platforms, so you know what Maria looks like. Just keep in mind that her appearance (hair length, for example) may have changed in the past five weeks.
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𝐃𝐎 𝐍𝐎𝐓 search for Maria yourself. Even searching with groups of people is not completely safe. If you think you have seen Maria or have heard anything about her location, contact the police immediately.
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𝐃𝐎 please share tips if you saw or heard anything that could lead to Maria’s safe return. We ask that you share tips directly with our Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) at 770-503-3232 or intelrequest@hallcounty.org. Citizens can also call 911 or Hall County Dispatch/Central Communications at 770-536-8812.
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𝐃𝐎 𝐍𝐎𝐓 submit tips to third-party websites or social media platforms. Sharing tips with anyone other than law enforcement could delay the critical information needed to bring Maria home.
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𝐃𝐎 be careful where you donate. The current reward fund for Maria’s safe return remains at $50,000. That money has been contributed by local businesses and community members who have been carefully vetted by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
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