Multiple crews, including a K-9 unit and Texas Criminal Justice Department officers are searching the City of Bullard for a missing 10-year-old girl.
Family members on scene told EastTexasMatters.com that Kayla Gomez, 10, went missing from Bullard First Assembly of God off Highway 69, early Tuesday evening. Spanish church members said they use Bullard First Assembly of God on Tuesday nights for prayer service. Authorities are officially handling this case as a kidnapping.
Officials are searching for a red Cadillac SRX, which is an SUV, that was parked at the church around the time Gomez went missing. At this time, it’s unknown if it is connected to her disappearance.
An Amber Alert was activated around 1:00 a.m., after Gomez went missing.
Officials brought in a mobile command center from Smith County. They conducted a line search, but were unable to locate Gomez or gather any leads that could help in the investigation.
We are told Gomez is not known to be a “trouble maker,” and that running off is “very out of character.”
Her family says she was last seen wearing a peach-colored skirt and a black Racquet & Jog t-shirt.
The Tyler Independent School District has confirmed Gomez is a student at Jack Elementary School. An FBI task force will be at the campus to investigate the situation. TISD is assisting in the process, as requested from officials.
Cherokee County Sheriff James Campbell described the family of the child as a good hard-working, religious family. He added there is no reason she would be abducted. Authorities said they would talk to neighbors and friends for any other possible leads. There is no official person of interest.
TxDOT also has electronic message boards displayed throughout the region on Interstate 20.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at 903-683-2271.
(Information from MyEastTexas.com)
