Hall County Sheriff Couch holds a press conference on the disappearance of a 12-year-old child.

Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch held a press conference Tuesday, June 11 to inform the community of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of 12-year-old Maria Gomez-Perez of Gainesville, who went missing from her home on Westside Drive near Pearl Nix Parkway in Gainesville. , Georgia, May 29. Under fire for mishandling the investigation, Sheriff Couch explained what was done and what the department continues to do to find Maria.

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Couch expressed gratitude for the support from the community and other departments who helped get the information out to the public and the investigation. He stressed that HCSO's top priority is Maria's safe return.

“Someone in the community has a clue or information that could be the key to cracking the case,” Couch added.

Sheriff Couch emphasized that everyone at the Hall County Sheriff's Office and many other departments and agencies are doing everything possible to find Maria and bring her home safely. Couch cited the numerous agencies involved in the investigation: the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Gainesville Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Homeland Security Investigation and the Guatemalan Consulate General.

“More than 70 investigators are working on this case, including several intelligence analysts,” Couch added.

They received almost 70 tips and each one was carefully considered and implemented.

Investigators visited Maria's home numerous times, including interviews, forensic examinations and electronic devices used to scan the area. The people living in Maria's house, including her father and uncle, are from Guatemala. Translators were also available to assist you in various dialects.

School officials were interviewed as well as Maria's friends, social media friends, and neighbors. Investigators went door to door in the neighborhood talking to everyone in the area.

Targeted ground searches were conducted involving K9s and the marine unit searched Lake Lanier. Investigators seized numerous phones and data from those phones was downloaded for intelligence analysts to evaluate along with social media contacts. The FBI is following up on numerous out-of-state leads.

Sheriff Couch asked the community to continue to raise awareness of Maria's case and, more importantly, share accurate information about the investigation.

Any tips regarding Maria's disappearance should be directed to the HCSO Special Investigations Unit at 770-503-3232 or [email protected].

Tips can also be called to 911 or Hall County Dispatch at 770-536-8812.