Ten-year-old Kayla Gomez-Orozco vanished without a trace on November 1 from Bullard First Assembly Church in Bullard, Texas, and an Amber Alert was issued soon after. She had been at the church with her mother, who reported her missing to police at around 8:00 p.m. Reportedly, Kayla and her mom had been at an evening prayer service at the church; when the service ended, Kayla Gomez-Orozco went to sit in the lobby while her mom shared a few words with fellow church-goers.
As KHOU 11 reports, in the space of a just a few minutes, Kayla-Gomez Orozco was gone. According to her mother, she turned around to join her daughter and she simply wasn’t there. The FBI reportedly arrived on the scene within two hours to assist local law enforcement, and an Amber Alert was issued for the 10-year-old by Wednesday.
Kayla was officially considered a missing person, but according to the Amber Alert and law enforcement, from the moment she disappeared, the possibility that she was abducted was something that couldn’t be ruled out.
According to the Amber Alert issued in the case, Kayla was wearing a peach skirt and Racquet and Jog T-shirt when she vanished. She was described as being 4 feet tall and 90 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
Nearly 500 people searched for Kayla Gomez-Orozco this morning in Bullard, Texas https://t.co/Oc0Mnxbxpf @Tylerpaper #bringkaylahome pic.twitter.com/7fvJoeyZgU
— Sarah A. Miller (@SmillerPhoto) November 5, 2016
Reportedly, the church where Kayla disappeared is next door to a restaurant with surveillance cameras. Unfortunately, at the time of the disappearance that led to the Wednesday Amber Alert, those cameras were out of order.
By Friday, November 4, a reward for information in the Kayla Gomez-Orozco Amber Alert that would ultimately lead to the girl’s discovery was offered by Crime Stoppers. The reward offered in Kayla’s case was substantial, $60,000, and it included $40,000 from a generous private donor who reportedly wanted to see Kayla-Gomez Orozco brought home safe.
Prayers for the family… I am heartbroken.
— Rick Taylor (@rtaylor776) November 6, 2016
Oh no. So sad
— Alan Jones (@Aljones42J6) November 6, 2016
As Fox News reports, several days after the Kayla-Gomez Orozco Amber Alert was issued, neither the police nor FBI had any substantive leads in the case. The local community rallied around the little girl’s family, offering prayers and support in their search efforts. On Saturday, hundreds of volunteers showed up to give their time and help to search for little Kayla in an attempt to bring her Amber Alert to a happy conclusion.
Law enforcement officials believe remains of Kayla Gomez-Orozco have been found https://t.co/CtcquFrMrQ @Tylerpaper pic.twitter.com/FoRElKULgs
— Carlina Villalpando (@KDTPublisher) November 5, 2016
Of the hundreds that showed up to help bring Kayla Gomez-Orozco home, local reports indicate that many were college students and retirees lending their eyes, ears, and support to Kayla and her family. Reportedly, the small town of Tyler, Texas, (the town where Kayla-Gomez Orozco and her family live) has overwhelmingly come out to support the family as they’ve searched in vain for their missing girl.
Unfortunately, as CBS 19 reports, a grim discovery was made late Saturday night. The Kayla Gomez-Orozco Amber Alert was discontinued. According to preliminary reports, a body was found that investigators believe may belong to Kayla. The announcement that the Amber Alert had been cancelled came roughly two hours after the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office announced that remains had been found and that they could “possibly belong to Kayla Gomez-Orozco.”
Amber Alert for Kayla Gomez-Orozco discontinued https://t.co/y9ahE5r8TN #watchCBS19 pic.twitter.com/0Ngmwlr9Mu
— KYTX CBS19 (@kytxcbs19) November 6, 2016
The remains were found not far from where Kayla went missing, on Old Jacksonville Road in Bullard, the same town as the church from which she vanished on November 1.
CHEROKEE COUNTY SHERIFF: “Remains found possibly Kayla Gomez-Orozco” https://t.co/SOuObm8arD #watchCBS19 pic.twitter.com/pi6QWaQLrg
— KYTX CBS19 (@kytxcbs19) November 6, 2016
At this early stage, police haven’t publicly confirmed that the remains belong to Kayla, but their cancellation of the Amber Alert doesn’t bode well for the little girl’s well-being.
This is a developing story, and local law enforcement has not released details regarding a possible cause of death, what led them to the discovery of the remains, or whether or not they are aware of any potential suspects in the case. No arrests have been made, but local news reports indicate that search warrants are being sought at this time.
BREAKING: Smith Co Sheriff Larry Smith says NO arrests have been made, in connection to Kayla Gomez-Orozco, but getting search warrants. pic.twitter.com/NQpEKe1LuH
— Paul Rivera (@PaulRiveraNews) November 6, 2016
Unsubstantiated statements on Twitter indicate potential family involvement in her disappearance and death, but this hasn’t been confirmed by law enforcement.
Condolences from the community and the world have already begun to pour out.
Our thought and prayers are with the family of Kayla Gomez-Orozco.
— FUMC Bullard (@FUMCBullard) November 6, 2016
At this point, following the tragic Kayla Gomez-Orozco Amber Alert outcome, the community’s collective support is still going out to her heartbroken family, and friends and strangers alike are coming together to help them through this unspeakable time.
***Update: Sources close to the investigation into the disappearance of Kayla Gomez-Orozco have confirmed that the remains found Saturday night were those of the missing 10-year-old girl, reports KHOU 11.
According to local news reports, days she vanished and an Amber Alert was issued in the case, Kayla’s remains were found in a well; no suspect has been named, but law enforcement are reportedly questioning an uncle in connection with the disappearance and murder of the 10-year-old. Authorities have stated that they will give further update on the cancelled Amber Alert and discovery of Kayla Gomez-Orozco’s remains on Sunday.***
[Featured Image by Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office/Gomez-Orozco Family]
