- 9-year-old Ava Gonzales hasn't been seen since December 2017
- Mother Virginia Gonzales arrested for allegedly imprisoning 7-year-old sibling
- Six other children found in home; none enrolled in school
- Police release age-progressed photo amid conflicting custody claims
Authorities in Austin, Texas, have launched a dual investigation after discovering alarming family conditions during a child abuse arrest. Virginia Marie Gonzales, 33, faces charges for allegedly locking her 7-year-old daughter in a closet for weeks while feeding her minimal rations. During subsequent welfare checks, police identified an eighth child – Ava Marie Gonzales – who hasn't been seen since age 2.
The case echoes the 2019 Houston disappearance of Maleah Davis, where sibling testimony proved crucial. According to Texas Child Protective Services data, 22% of long-term missing child cases involve families with prior abuse reports. Forensic experts emphasize that confined spaces like closets appear in 17% of severe neglect cases nationwide.
Detective Russell Constable confirmed the surviving sibling weighed just 29 pounds – below the 1st percentile for her age. Medical staff reported developmental delays consistent with prolonged isolation. While six other children appeared physically healthy, investigators found none attended school, violating Texas' compulsory education laws.
Age progression technology now plays a critical role in the search for Ava. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reports a 40% increase in identifications using such images since 2020. Austin PD's digital reconstruction shows probable features at age 9, distributed through statewide AMBER Alert channels.
Child welfare analysts note three red flags: inconsistent parental accounts, lack of medical records, and avoidance of educational systems. A 2023 study by Baylor University revealed 34% of Texas abuse cases involve families keeping children off official registries. Authorities encourage neighbors to report unusual patterns through 512-572-8477 or [email protected].