Police Look for Girl Not Seen Since 2017 After Mother Gets Arrested

Texas authorities arrested a mother last month after finding her malnourished 7-year-old daughter in a locked closet—and now they are searching for the girl’s sister who has allegedly been missing since 2017.

Quick Takes

Virginia Gonzales was arrested after her 7-year-old daughter was found severely malnourished, weighing only 29 pounds, and suffering from brain damage.
The child was discovered barricaded in a 5-foot by 2-foot closet with no light or ventilation, receiving only a corndog and half cup of water daily.
Police are now searching for Ava Marie Gonzales, the victim’s sister who has reportedly not been seen since 2017 when she was just 2 years old.
Six other children in the home showed no signs of abuse, and adequate food was present in the house.
All seven children, including the malnourished daughter, are now in protective custody while Gonzales faces serious child injury charges.

Child Found in Horrific Conditions

On April 3, Texas authorities discovered a 7-year-old girl barricaded in a closet measuring just 5 feet by 2 feet with no light or ventilation. The child was severely malnourished, weighing only 29 pounds – far below the healthy weight for a child her age. Medical examinations revealed the girl had suffered brain damage due to prolonged starvation. According to investigators, the child had been confined to the cramped space for approximately one month, receiving only a corndog and half a cup of water daily as sustenance.

Reports indicate that Gonzales allegedly ordered her 10-year-old son to clean the closet when it became soiled. Despite the horrific purported treatment of the 7-year-old girl, investigators found that six other children in the home showed no signs of abuse, and adequate food was available in the residence.

Austin Police is searching for a missing 9-year-old girl, concerned for her welfare after her mother was accused of locking another child in a closet for “weeks at a time,” according to an arrest affidavit. https://t.co/oSvP4QDVmx

— KXAN News (@KXAN_News) May 6, 2025

Mother’s Arrest and Missing Sister

Virginia Marie Gonzales was arrested on April 24 and charged with causing severe injury to a child. All seven of her children, including the malnourished victim, have been placed in protective custody. The discovery of the abused child has prompted authorities to search for her sister, Ava Marie Gonzales, who is now believed to have disappeared back in 2017. Ava was last seen with her mother at the age of 2, and police are concerned about her welfare given the horrific condition in which they found her sister.

Law enforcement officials have described Ava as a Hispanic female with straight brown hair and brown eyes. To aid in the search, authorities have released a photograph of Ava as a toddler alongside an age-progression image showing what she might look like today. The circumstances surrounding Ava’s disappearance remain unclear, but the alleged abuse suffered by her sister has raised serious concerns about the missing child’s fate.

Investigation Continues as Family Details Emerge

According to court documents, Gonzales’ other children told investigators that their mother had ordered them to lock the 7-year-old in the closet. This information suggests that the abuse was not only carried out by Gonzales personally but that she involved her other children in perpetuating the mistreatment. The revelation that adequate food was present in the home throughout the period of abuse indicates a deliberate targeting of the 7-year-old victim rather than a situation of overall household neglect.

Authorities continue to investigate both the abuse case and the circumstances surrounding Ava’s disappearance. The discovery of one child in such dire conditions has intensified fears for Ava’s safety, especially considering that her alleged disappearance dates back nearly eight years. As the legal case against Virginia Gonzales proceeds, law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information about Ava Marie Gonzales to come forward immediately to help locate the missing child.