Police in Texas are desperate for answers after a father found his 11-year-old daughter dead under a bed in their home. She was allegedly strangled and sexually assaulted, and as of now, police do not have any suspects in the horrific crime.
Carmelo Gonzalez reportedly left his daughter, Maria, at their home in Pasadena, Texas, on Saturday while he went to work. While the father was away, someone got into the apartment he shared with his daughter and attacked her. Maria was brutally attacked, but no one knows who committed the heinous crimes.
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Maria reportedly texted her father that something strange was going on.
Gonzalez claimed he received a text message from Maria saying that someone was knocking on their apartment door, according to KHOU. He said he messaged her back and told her not to go to the door.
She reportedly assured her father she would stay in bed. He claimed he tried to contact his daughter several times during the day but that she did not answer, the news outlet reported.
The father became worried.
When he couldn't get in touch with her, Gonzalez reportedly sent family members who lived in the same complex to check on Maria. He told Fox 26 that when the family members got to his apartment, the door was unlocked, and the child was nowhere to be found. He left work and rushed home to search for his daughter. Tragically, he discovered her lifeless body in a laundry basket under his bed.
Maria was reportedly brutally assaulted.
Pasadena Police Chief Josh Bruegger addressed the media at a news conference and shared details about the case. He explained that police arrived at the apartment around 3 p.m. August 12 after a receiving a report of an 11-year-old not breathing. Emergency personnel pronounced Maria deceased at the scene, and the case was deemed a homicide.
Bruegger said she was strangled and her body showed signs of sexual assault. He said the case is significant, and authorities are taking time to investigate mounds of both digital and physical evidence, per KHOU. He explained that Gonzalez's alibi checked out and that he is not considered a suspect.
Bruegger said there have not been any other similar crimes in the area in recent history.
The police chief explained that police do not have any leads from similar cases in the area. "We don't have any other crimes like this. But, you know, obviously it's a concern because, I mean, clearly a very violent crime. Fortunately, this isn't something that's common," he explained during the news conference.
He said the apartment complex is small and a relatively tight community. "Somebody had to have seen something, and that's what we're asking for," Brugger said. "Whoever saw something around 10 a.m. at that apartment, we're asking them to come forward with any information they might have."
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Bruegger urged community members to talk to the police.
The police chief explained that a large population of undocumented residents in the area may be hesitant to speak to police, but they shouldn't be.
"I'm here to tell you immigration status on a case like this, that's neither here nor there; the important thing is solving this case and getting the community safe," Bruegger said, according to Fox 26. He said the goal is justice for Maria and peace for the community.
