How Police Found Missing Girl Who Left Home To Meet Georgia Man

LAKE COUNTY, IL — License plate reader technology played a critical role in helping Lake County investigators quickly locate a missing girl who left home to meet a Georgia man she met online, authorities said.

Jordy Alexis Fuerte Perez, 24, of Norcross, Georgia, faces felony charges, including soliciting child pornography and cocaine possession, after authorities say he drove to Lake County to meet 13-year-old girl whom he had been communicating with online, according to court documents provided to Patch.

The girl was reported missing from her Gurnee-area home during the early morning hours of Sunday. According to authorities, she had never run away before.

In missing-persons cases, deputies immediately begin gathering information from the missing person's family, including details about her friends, places she frequented, social media activity and cellphone information, said Lake County Sheriff's Office deputy chief Christopher Covelli.

"Initial deputies obtain key information about the missing person, so their identity can be immediately placed in the missing person database," Covelli said. "From there, they work to find out who their friends are, places they frequent and if there is any insight as to where they could possibly be."

When responding deputies were unable to locate the child, sheriff's detectives joined the investigation and began pursuing leads.

Covelli said one of the most significant breakthroughs came when investigators identified a vehicle with a Georgia license plates in the area. Although investigators had obtained a phone number connected to the adult the girl had been communicating with, the number did not immediately lead them to a specific individual, he said.

"This case would have been extremely difficult to solve so quickly if it were not for the use of license plate reader technology," Covelli said.

Investigators ultimately tracked the vehicle to Independence Grove Forest Preserve near Libertyville, where the girl and Fuerte Perez were found together inside a parked vehicle approximately 13 hours after she was reported missing, according to police.

• 'A Parent's Worst Nightmare': GA Man Charged With Soliciting Child Porn: Sheriff

The child did not appear physically injured but was taken to the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center, authorities said.

The girl's parents had no idea she had been communicating with the suspect, Covelli said. The relationship began on TikTok before moving to text messages and phone calls.

Police: Parents Must Watch Children’s Online Activity

As investigators continue reviewing digital evidence, authorities have not identified additional victims. However, Covelli said the case should serve as a warning to parents about online predators who target children through social media and other digital platforms.

"It is crucial for parents to regularly inspect the cellular devices used by their children and teens," Covelli said. "Cell phones connect young people to the world and provide instant access to billions of individuals, all from the palm of their hand."

Covelli said predators often disguise themselves through social media applications, gaming platforms and text messaging services and may groom children into sharing personal information or making dangerous decisions.

He encouraged parents to have ongoing conversations about online safety while remaining actively involved in monitoring their children's digital activity.

"This is not about violating a child's privacy, it is about protecting their safety and well-being," Covelli said.