A South Florida family is desperate to find a 13-year-old girl who has been missing since mid-September.
Victoria Gonzalez was last seen on Sept. 17. At a news conference Friday, Miramar Police said it's likely she ran away from home, but they're still concerned for her wellbeing.
"An investigation has shown absolutely no signs of foul play, she left on her own free will," Det. Tiffany Roy said. "She's only 13 and right now we're really just looking for her to come home."
Roy said investigators have no reason to believe that the teen is not alive, and detectives said she has been logging into her Instagram account and is likely still in South Florida.
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"Victoria, if you are watching this, please contact your family, we just want to make sure that you are ok," Roy said. "They miss you, please contact someone."
Roy said detectives have responded to every tip they've received about where she might be. Gonzalez hasn't contacted friends or family, Roy said.
Her parents spoke at Friday's news conference.
"We miss your eyes, your smile, your joy, your sparkle," mother Sophia Gonzalez said.
“She’s very close to me, we do everything together. I just miss her voice right now," said her father, Enrique Gonzalez. "I miss her presence."
Enrique Gonzalez last saw his daughter on Thursday, September 16, after picking her up from New Renaissance Middle School in Miramar. He took her to stay the night with family in Hallandale Beach, so her aunt, Josette Gonzalez, could take her to school in the morning, which they said is routine.
“And I always make sure, like, in her school, she always gets in those gates," her aunt said. "But on September 17, when I got the news, it was like, my heart was shattered.”
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Josette Gonzalez said she dropped the teen off at school, as usual, that day.
But when her father showed up to pick up Victoria that afternoon, she never came to the car.
“So I went to the attendance office, she was in every class, all her periods, but she walked out of the gate," Enrique Gonzalez said.
Enrique says he was told his daughter walked to this nearby neighborhood called Avalon with a friend, her last confirmed sighting. He reported her missing to a school resource officer, who went looking for her.
“They also checked the cameras at the school where it showed her walking out of the gate," Enrique Gonzalez said.
Enrique said he’s been handing out flyers all around South Florida in the 48 days since she was last seen.
He also appealed to any of Victoria’s friends who may information to say something.
“Let your parents know, don’t hide it, don't keep it a secret, because I want my daughter back," he said.
“Victoria, come back home," he added. "I mean, I miss you, I’m concerned, I want to know where you’re at."
