DAVIE COUNTY, N.C. — Three people were arrested Wednesday in connection to a missing child's case in Davie County, according to the sheriff's office.
Deputies said on April 29, 35-year-old Arlene Cruz reported her 10-year-old stepdaughter as a runaway, saying there was a concern for suicide. Davie County deputies quickly reached out to other law enforcement agencies to aid in the search.
Detectives said during an investigation, they gathered multiple search warrants based on the circumstances and narrative from Cruz and the 10-year-old's dad, 28-year-old Eduardo Avila-Garcia, as they continued to explore other reasons for the child's disappearance.
Davie County deputies said on April 30 that the missing child was found in Winston-Salem at the home of 40-year-old Angie Gardelys Amador, who is a friend and coworker of Cruz's. Amador reported an unknown child showed up at her doorstep.
After further investigation, detectives said they determined that the 10-year-old was reported missing approximately two hours after the custody hearing in Davie County Court on April 29. After court, the girl was taken to her father's house in Mocksville and then sent to Gardelys’ home by Uber.
The Davie County Emergency Management, Davie County Rescue Squad, and multiple fire departments from Davie County and surrounding areas joined the Davie County Sheriff’s Office in the search for a 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. According to the NC Emergency Management cost schedule, the total cost of the two-day search for Davie County was $86,684.98.
Eduardo Avila-Garcia of Mocksville, NC is charged with:
- Felony Abduction of Children
- Felony Conspiracy for Abduction of Children
- Felony Obstruction of Justice
Eduardo Avila-Garcia is behind bars under a $75,000 bond with a court date of June 6.
Arlene Cruz, of 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 is behind bars under a $75,000 bond with a court date of June 6.
Angie Gardelys Amador, 40, of 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 bond but was able to bond out the same day.
If you have any information regarding this case, please contact the Davie County Sheriff's Office at 336-751-6238.
