Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch held a press conference Tuesday, June 11, to update the community about the ongoing investigation into the missing 12-year-old Maria Gomez-Perez of Gainesville.
Maria disappeared from her home on Westside Drive off Pearl Nix Parkway in Gainesville on May 29.
Under fire for its handling of the investigation, Sheriff Couch explained what the sheriff’s office has done and what the department continues to do to find Maria.
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Couch expressed his gratitude for the support from the community for helping to get the word out and to other departments helping with the investigation.
Sheriff Couch stressed that his agency’s top priority is Maria’s safe return.
“Someone out in the community has that one clue or bit of information that could be the key to breaking the case wide open,” said Couch.
Couch emphasized that the Hall County Sheriff’s Office and numerous other departments and agencies are “doing everything possible” to find Maria and bring her home safely. He said the Gainesville Police Department, GBI, FBI, U.S. Homeland Security, and Consulate General of Guatemala are assisting with the investigation.
“There are over 70 investigators working this case, including several intelligence analysts,” Couch added.
According to the sheriff, investigators have received close to 70 tips, and each has been thoroughly examined and acted upon.
Investigators have been to Maria’s residence on numerous occasions, conducting interviews and gathering evidence for forensic examinations. Sheriff Couch said that the individuals living in Maria’s home, including her father and uncle, are from Guatemala. Authorities are using translators to assist them in their investigation.
According to Sheriff Couch, investigators have interviewed school officials, Maria’s friends, social media friends, and neighbors. They have also gone door-to-door, speaking to everyone in the neighborhood for whatever information they can provide.
Sheriff Couch says the Hall County Sheriff’s Office has conducted targeted ground searches with K9s and the county’s Marine Unit has searched Lake Lanier. Couch said investigators have seized “numerous phones” and data from these phones has been downloaded for intelligence analysts to evaluate, along with reviewing social media contacts.
The FBI is following up on numerous out-of-state leads, Sheriff Couch said.
Sheriff Couch asked the community to keep spreading the word about Maria’s case, and most importantly, share accurate information about the investigation.
Any tips regarding Maria’s disappearance should go to HCSO’s Special Investigations Unit at 770-503-3232 or [email protected].
Tips may also be phoned into 911 or Hall County Dispatch at 770-536-8812.
