Gianna Rodriguez, a 5-year-old girl who was reported missing from Hollywood, has been found safe in New York City. Hollywood Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service collaborated in tracking down Gianna, who was located in the company of her mother, Simone Sims. Sims is now facing charges of interference with custody, as reported by NBC Miami.
The alert for the missing child was first issued after she was last seen at the Hollywood Gateway Inn on Polk Street. Initially labeled as a "missing endangered juvenile," the Hollywood Police Department publicized the case on social media, urging those with information to come forward. Despite the high-stakes nature of such incidents, law enforcement moved swiftly, culminating in the positive resolution of the case. Here information was also supported by a Local 10 article.
According to a statement obtained by NBC Miami, police disclosed that Gianna's father had recently been awarded full custody last Friday. The court records pointed to Sims' history of unstable behavior tied to drug use and previous instances where she had taken the child without notice.
The search for Gianna was widespread, with the Hollywood Police Department disseminating descriptions and photos across various platforms. As detailed by Hoodline, she was last seen wearing dark shorts, a white and grey striped shirt, and white Crocs. The community was on high alert until confirmation of her safety broke, a relief to those involved in the intensive operation.
