Austin police recently discovered a disturbing situation in a Texas home, where a 7-year-old girl was found locked in a closet, starving and in poor health. This shocking discovery has raised serious concerns about her well-being, the treatment of other children in the home, and the whereabouts of her 9-year-old sister, who has been missing for years.
7-Year-Old Found Malnourished and Trapped in Closet
On April 3, authorities responded to a call from a home in Del Valle, Texas, where they found a 7-year-old girl locked in a closet. The child was malnourished, dirty, and alone. She was rushed to a local hospital, where she is now receiving care. While investigating her condition, police discovered that her 9-year-old sister, Ava Gonzales, had been missing since December 2017. What’s even more disturbing is that Ava was never reported as missing until now.
Six other children were found in the home and appeared physically healthy. However, the investigation raised serious concerns about their living conditions and the treatment they might have experienced. Ava’s mother, Virginia Gonzales, has since been arrested and charged in connection with the incident. She gave inconsistent accounts about Ava’s whereabouts, and authorities have been unable to locate Ava’s father.
Shocking Details About the Conditions in the Home
The 7-year-old girl’s condition was alarming. She was discovered locked in a closet, with heavy boxes blocking the door. Police reports revealed that she was given very little food and water, sometimes only half a cup of water each day and one or two hot dogs or corndogs. Additionally, none of the children were enrolled in school, raising further concerns about their welfare.
Virginia Gonzales, the children’s mother, was arrested on April 24 and charged with causing serious injury to a child. The arrest affidavit stated that the 7-year-old girl had been locked in the closet for extended periods, sometimes for weeks. The girl’s grandmother reportedly told authorities that the child had trouble controlling her bladder and often ate things she shouldn’t, which led to her being locked away by her siblings.
Medical staff who treated the girl noticed that she weighed only 29 pounds and had dark spots on her body, signs of severe malnutrition. Despite the alarming situation, there was food available in the fridge, further raising questions about why the children were being neglected. The girl also complained of pain, saying her bones hurt.
Search for Ava Gonzales Continues
The search for Ava Gonzales is ongoing. Police have released age-progressed photos of the 9-year-old girl, and detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating her. Detective Russell Constable has expressed grave concern about Ava’s safety and health, especially considering the severe abuse her younger sister endured.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The investigation into the case is still in its early stages, and more details are expected as authorities continue to piece together what happened to these children.