More than a month after a 12-year-old Georgia girl went missing, authorities have expanded their search for her to more than half a dozen other states.
Gainesville resident Maria Gomez-Perez was last seen in early June, after which the Hall County Sheriff's Office launched a massive search for the girl.
After failing to come up with any leads as to her whereabouts, and with tips declining, investigators have expanded their search to include Texas, Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, South Carolina and Tennessee.
"Video images and other media" led to investigators working closely with law enforcement in those states to search for Maria, according to police.
"The sheriff's office and our law enforcement partners continue to develop more information from social media, the community as well as all other avenues," Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch said in a statement. "Our only goal is to find Maria and bring her home."
Maria was last seen around 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 29 at her home in Gainesville, about 55 miles northeast of Atlanta, and reported missing the following day. The sheriff's office said investigators have no indication of abduction or foul play, and that there is no evidence indicating Maria was taken against her will.
Couch said phone search and digital evidence investigative efforts have provided hope for a break in the case and continue to be the best investigative resource, but the process is extremely time and resource consuming.
"Responses vary due to the volume of data, and many vendors require specific subpoenas or search warrants for access," the sheriff's office noted.
The search effort includes the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and other agencies. The sheriff's office said the team is using resources including intelligence, translators, drones, crime scene investigators and "simple determination" to find clues.
"In the sixth week since Maria was last seen, assistance from our community remains helpful in ensuring this case remains in the spotlight," said Couch.
"If anyone has information about Maria's disappearance and has not shared it, I would implore them to contact us," he added.
A $50,000 reward is being offered in the case.
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