The Austin Police Department is urgently seeking public assistance in locating 9-year-old Ava Marie Gonzales, who has been missing since December 2017. Ava was last seen at the age of 2 while in the custody of her mother, Virginia Marie Gonzales. Her disappearance came to light following the discovery of her 7-year-old sister in a severe state of neglect.

On April 3, 2025, authorities responded to a 911 call and found Ava’s 7-year-old sister locked in a closet at a residence on Ross Road in Del Valle, Texas. The child was severely malnourished, weighing only 29 pounds, and had been confined for approximately a month with minimal food and water. She was immediately hospitalized and is currently recovering. Six other children, aged 2 to 14, were also found in the home and appeared to be in good physical condition.

Virginia Gonzales, 33, was arrested on April 24, 2025, and charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury. During the investigation, it was revealed that Ava had not been seen since 2017 and was never reported missing. Gonzales provided conflicting information about Ava’s whereabouts, and authorities are seriously concerned for her welfare.

Ava is described as a Hispanic female with straight brown hair and brown eyes. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has released an age-progressed photo of Ava, depicting what she might look like at age 9.

Anyone with information about Ava’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-2000 or email . Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or visit . All calls are toll-free and confidential, and the hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.