Missing Hall County girl Maria Gomez-Perez found safe in another state

Maria Gomez-Perez, 12, disappeared from her Gainesville home on May 29, 2024, prompting a nationwide search.Photo byHall County Sheriff's Office

A 12-year-old Hall County girl missing for nearly two months has been found safe in another state, law enforcement officials announced late Thursday, July 25.

In a social media update, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office says investigators with its Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) “safely located and recovered Maria Gomez-Perez of Gainesville this evening in another state.”

Maria is safe and OK, the sheriff’s office says.

“The tireless work of our CIB, law enforcement partners and the community has resulted in the best possible outcome,” Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch says. “Our prayers for Maria’s safe return have been answered.”

The sheriff’s office says investigators are working to bring Maria home to Hall County while working to determine the circumstances of her disappearance.

Maria had been missing since May 29, when she was last seen at her home on Westside Drive in Gainesville.

The Hall County Sheriff’s Office has not released any other details.