The FBI in Charlotte has issued an Amber Alert for Valeria Gonzalez Hernandez, a 13-year-old girl who has been missing since June 25. According to the social media post by the FBI, Valeria was last seen at a bus stop in Raleigh on the same day she disappeared from her home in Mount Airy, NC. The search operation is a joint effort between the Surry County Sheriff's Office and federal agents in an attempt to locate her.
The specifics of Valeria's last known whereabouts and appearance have not yet been officially released. Law enforcement is urging anyone with information to come forward. As in cases such as this, the first hours are critical, and locals in the Raleigh and Mount Airy areas are especially encouraged to be vigilant. Sightings and tips can be a difference between desperation and hope for a family in distress.
Amber Alerts are reserved for the most serious of child abduction cases, where law enforcement believes a child to be in imminent danger. The system, which disseminates information quickly through various media and electronic means, is instrumental in marshaling the public's eyes and ears in the search for missing children.
Anyone who has information about Valeria's whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Surry County Sheriff's Office or the Charlotte Division of the FBI. As the investigation continues, updates are expected to be provided by authorities.
