Texas authorities are urgently searching for a nine-year-old girl, Ava Marie Gonzales, who has been missing for over seven years. This alarming case gained attention after her mother was arrested on April 24, 2025, for allegedly starving another child in a closet.
- Missing girl last seen in December 2017
- Mother arrested for child abuse charges
- 7-year-old found malnourished in closet
- Authorities located six healthy children
- Progressed photo shows Ava's potential appearance
- Police seek public assistance for information
Ava was last seen in December 2017 when she was just two years old. The Austin Police Department only discovered her disappearance recently, following an emergency call regarding a seven-year-old girl found malnourished and locked away. Police spokesperson Russell Constable stated, “We just don’t know where she is right now.”
This tragic situation raises critical questions about child safety and the systems in place to protect vulnerable children. How could Ava remain missing for so long? The details surrounding her case are shocking:
- Ava’s mother is charged with serious injury to a child.
- A seven-year-old sibling was found malnourished and locked in a closet.
- Authorities discovered conflicting information about Ava’s whereabouts from family members.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with information about Ava’s whereabouts to come forward. The community must remain vigilant to ensure the safety of all children.