Prayer vigil in memory of missing 12-year-old girl

A religious shrine was opened Wednesday evening, June 12, for a prayer vigil in honor of Maria Gomez-Perez, the 12-year-old Gainesville girl who has been missing from her home for two weeks now.

Members of the Atlanta Road Church of Christ, located in Gainesville, held a vigil for the community to come together in prayer for Maria's safe return.

Part of the service included a prayer for law enforcement who were working to find answers to Maria's disappearance.

The girl was last seen around 10 a.m. on May 29 at her home in Gainesville. Many law enforcement agencies are investigating his case.

Father of missing girl featured in video

Maria’s case has had a tremendous impact on the Hispanic community in Hall County, as well as the community as a whole. Hispanic pastors and business leaders are leading the civil effort to find her, offering cash rewards, posting billboards and social media alerts, and distributing flyers and bumper stickers. shocks seeking information that might help bring her home.

Maria's father, Andres Gomez-Alonzo, appeared in a Facebook live stream on June 11 with a local pastor. Speaking in Maria's native language, a dialect called chuj, Pastor Felipe Ramos of Iglesia Evangelica Pentecostes Rayos de Luz implored the community to remain vigilant.

Gomez-Alonzo spoke only briefly during the 38-minute video. This is one of the first times the girl's father has made a public appearance since he first reported his daughter missing.

Pastor Ramos is asking community members to share the video in hopes that it falls into the right hands to help Maria.

The Hall County Sheriff's Office continues to urge anyone with information about Maria's disappearance to call 770-503-3232 or email [email protected]

Tips can also be directed to 911 or Hall County 911/Central Communications at 770-536-8812. Those offering advice can remain anonymous.