E’minie Hughes, the 12-year-old girl who went missing from the Houston area over a week ago, has been found safe, according to authorities.
Houston police, in a post on social media platform X, confirmed her recovery but did not provide further details regarding the circumstances of her discovery.
Hughes was last seen on February 22, prompting Houston police to issue an Amber Alert amid concerns that she may have been trafficked.
However, in a surprising turn of events, she was found unharmed in Columbus, Texas, approximately 73 miles away from where she went missing.
The FBI Houston also played a role in the search effort. Posting on X, they expressed pride in assisting with another successful recovery of a missing child, indicating that two children had been found safe in as many days.
While the details surrounding Hughes’ disappearance and discovery remain unclear, authorities have stated that the investigation is ongoing.
Initially believed to have left on her own, new information prompted authorities to suspect the possibility of human trafficking, though they have not elaborated on the specifics.
Hughes was reportedly last seen getting into a dark-colored four-door Dodge pickup in Missouri City, part of the Houston metro area.
Additionally, Houston police indicated that Hughes may have been using the social media app Tagged, which focuses on connecting individuals for friendship or dating.
Tagged’s parent company, The Meet Group, confirmed reaching out to Houston law enforcement to assist in the case. They emphasized their policies prohibiting minors from using their apps and their commitment to investigating any reports of possible exploitation.
The girl’s mother, Shannon Williams, shared her last interactions with her daughter, indicating that Hughes had asked to be woken up early for school on the day she disappeared.
Meanwhile, a Texas man has been arrested and charged in connection with the disappearance of E’minie.
“Columbus Police attempted to detain Sirterryon Preston, 27, of Houston, Texas, in reference to having possession of the missing juvenile,” police posted on Facebook.
Preston attempted to flee police custody but was captured and arrested, authorities said.
Concerns about online communication and boundaries were raised, with experts emphasizing the importance of parents maintaining open communication with their children regarding healthy relationships, especially online.
The recovery of E’minie Hughes brings hope to her family and serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges surrounding child safety and online interactions.
