arrests made in missing juvenile case

Sheriff Hartman states:
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On Monday, April 29, 2024, at approximately 1:50 PM, Arlene Cruz reported her 10-year-old juvenile stepdaughter as a runaway to the Davie County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO).  Cruz indicated in her initial report that there was a concern about suicide. This information was immediately relayed to the DCSO Watch Commander, who began sending additional resources to the residence to aid in the search.  The K9 unit from the Davie County Sheriff’s Office responded along with an additional K9 unit from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office and Winston-Salem Police Department checked other locations in their jurisdictions where the missing juvenile might have been located. Detectives responded to the residence and began conducting an investigation. During the investigation multiple search warrants were served, due to concerns noted by the initial responding deputies in the circumstances and narrative provided by the juvenile’s stepmother (Cruz) and her father, Eduardo Avila-Garcia. While the missing person search was being conducted on April 29th and 30th, detectives were proceeding with the investigation and considering other reasons why the juvenile could not be located.

On Tuesday, April 30, at approximately 7:00 PM, the missing female juvenile was located at a residence at 1941 Sentry Point Lane, Winston-Salem. The residence was that of Angie Gardelys Amador, a co-worker and friend of Arlene Cruz.  Amador reported an unknown female juvenile showed up on her doorstep.

The investigation determined that there was a custody hearing in Davie County Court on April 29th and the female juvenile was reported missing approximately two hours later. After court, the juvenile was taken to her father's house at 270 Bethesda Lane, Mocksville, and then sent to Gardelys’ residence by Uber. 
 
Davie County Emergency Management, Davie County Rescue Squad, and multiple Fire Departments from Davie County and surrounding areas joined Davie County Sheriff’s Office in the search for the missing female juvenile. A total of 159 personnel, as well as a Mobile Command Center, six drones, seven ATVs, and one NC Highway Patrol helicopter participated in the search on the 29th and 30th. Based on the NC Emergency Management cost schedule, the total 2-day search cost for Davie County was $86,684.98.   

On Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at approximately 5:45 PM, three individuals were arrested in this case.

Eduardo Avila-Garcia, 28 years of age, of 270 Bethesda Lane, Mocksville, NC is charged with:
             Felony Abduction of Children
             Felony Conspiracy for Abduction of Children
             Felony Obstruction of Justice
Eduardo Avila-Garcia received a $75,000 secured bond and has a court date of 06/06/2024. Avila-Garcia is currently being held at Davie County Detention Center.

Arlene Cruz, 35 years of age, of 270 Bethesda Lane, Mocksville, NC is charged with:
            Felony Abduction of Children
            Felony Child Abuse
            Felony False Report involving a Child Disappearance
            Felony Conspiracy for Abduction of Children
            Felony Obstruction of Justice
Arlene Cruz received a $75,000 secured bond and has a court date of 06/06/2024. Cruz is currently being held at Davie County Detention Center.

Angie Gardelys Amador, 40 years of age, of 1941 Sentry Point Lane, Winston-Salem, NC, is charged with:
            Felony Abduction of Children
            Felony Child Abuse
            Felony Conspiracy for Abduction of Children
​            Felony Obstruction of Justice
Angie Gardelys Amador received a $75,000.00 secure bond. Amador bonded out the same day.

The Davie County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the county agencies and volunteers who responded to the search for the missing juvenile. This was a quick and tremendous response. We would also like to thank all our law enforcement and emergency services partners for their rapid response to a report of a child in danger.  This investigation is continuing at this time.
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If you have any information regarding this case, please contact the Davie County Sheriff's Office at 336-751-6238 or email [email protected]. You may also leave an anonymous message at https://davie-so-nc.zuercherportal.com/#/submit_tip.