Authorities in Bedford County are actively searching for three teenagers who have gone missing from the same foster home, as outlined by recent reports that have shone a spotlight on a disturbing pattern of runaways. According to WKRN News 2, the latest to vanish is 16-year-old Allizon Ventura Gomez, who was discovered missing on July 11. Sergeant Chris Brown expressed deep concern, noting that the teen took everything belonging to her, indicating no intention to return.
There’s a fraught history at this foster home, located off Haskins Chapel Road in Shelbyville. As the NewsChannel 5 investigation points out, over two years, at least four Hispanic teenage girls have disappeared from this foster home. Sgt. Brown found discrepancies between what the foster parents reported and what he learned from speaking with one of the missing teen's birth family, "It was concerning that the foster parent wouldn’t provide me with that information," he stated.
NewsChannel 5 also highlights a particularly troubling aspect of the investigation, as Sgt. Brown was informed through translation by an older sibling of one of the teens, "Yes, I know the foster parent and I have her number," contradicting previous accounts from the foster parents. Other teens, including 17-year-old Ana Ramos Martin and 14-year-old Magdelena Alonza, have also gone missing from the same location in the past year, further amplifying concerns over the safety and well-being of children in this foster home setting.
Inquiries by NewsChannel 5 into this string of runaways raise questions surrounding the environment of the foster home. Sgt. Brown is considering various possibilities, "Sometimes foster kids might not like the foster home and might not like the other children there. There might be an issue with the foster parents themselves," he explained. The Department of Children's Services has yet to respond to contact regarding investigations into these foster parents.
The disappearances are reminiscent of another local case involving 16-year-old Maria Lucas Gaspar from nearby Shelbyville, whose remains were tragically found. Sgt. Brown underscored the gravity of the situation, "Lots of things can happen in today’s world to these children, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to them or anyone else," he said. The community is urged to assist in the search for these missing teens. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Bedford Essex County Sheriff’s Office at 931-684-3232.
