Missing Utah Teen and Cousins Found Safe in Mexico; Uncle Charged with Kidnapping

Utah teenager Mexico kidnapping Elizabeth Gonzalez Antonio Moreno

By E.Baloyo , Parent Herald Jul 14, 10:40 am

Photo: (Photo : George Frey / Getty Images)

A Utah teenager, along with her two younger relatives, who disappeared in Mexico around two weeks ago, have been discovered unharmed.

Authorities apprehended a man linked to the suspected abduction, relieving the worry of their families.

Girls Located in Mexico After Disappearance

The missing Utah teenager was found safe along with her younger cousins who also disappeared the same time as her.

The FBI stated late Friday night that Elizabeth "Ely" Gonzalez was located unharmed in Mexico. Gonzalez went missing on June 30 while visiting her 4 and 6-year-old cousins in Mexico City.

According to Amber Alerts issued in Mexico, the three individuals were recently spotted in the San Juan Tlihuaca neighborhood of Azcapotzalco, a borough in Mexico City.

Mexican officials found the girls with Antonio Moreno in Veracruz at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Friday. Officials reported that Moreno, who is now confronted with kidnapping charges, was present with the girls at the time of their discovery.

Family's Agony and Relief

Alma Soreque, who is Gonzalez's mother, mentioned to KTVX-TV that she had talked to her daughter the morning she went missing.

Later on the same day, family members told her that Gonzalez had left to walk to a nearby convenience store but didn't come back. Police authorities believe that an adult forced Gonzalez and her cousins to enter a taxi when they went missing.

Family members felt a great sense of relief when they found out the girls were safe. Gonzalez's relatives had been eagerly anticipating updates ever since she and her cousins disappeared.

The FBI announced that Antonio Moreno has a federal arrest warrant for offenses linked to Gonzalez's vanish, such as abduction.

Moreno, recognized as Gonzalez's uncle and the biological parent of her two young cousins, will be sent back to the United States to confront these accusations.

Moreno, who resided in Kaysville, Utah, suddenly went to Mexico City on June 30, the day the girls vanished. It is thought that he coerced the girls to enter a taxi, as seen in surveillance video.

The FBI had previously stated their belief that a grown-up was involved in the disappearance of the girls. While staying with her grandmother in Mexico City, Gonzalez, who is from Ogden, Utah, disappeared.

At that moment, she was accompanied by her two cousins who reside in Mexico. The extradition process for Moreno back to the United States has started, and he is anticipated to be charged with multiple offenses linked to the abduction of his niece and daughters.

Community Reactions To Alleged Kidnapping

Finding the missing 14-year-old and her cousins has brought great relief to both their families and the wider community. Efforts to swiftly advance Moreno's accountability are underway.

The families of the girls have shown appreciation for the help they received during the frightening experience and are now concentrating on ensuring their loved ones return safely and recover.

The FBI is still looking into the details of the kidnapping and collaborating with Mexican officials to make sure justice is achieved.