Authorities in Texas have launched a nationwide search for a 14-year-old girl who has not been seen since her father's badly burned body was found dumped in a rural area Sunday.
The Walker County Sheriff's Office is searching for the girl, Adriana Coronado, on the presumption she has been abducted.
Adriana, a freshman at Mayde Creek High School, was last seen in the Houston suburb of Katy early Saturday morning. The following afternoon, police found the body of the girl's father, Caesar Vladimir Coronado, lying near a ditch in rural Walker County. His body was badly burned and authorities believe he was shot to death.
"Investigators with the department have reason to believe that Adriana may have been with her father during the time of the homicide and that her welfare is in great danger at this time," the Walker County Sheriff's Office said in a media release.
Coronado's burned-out pickup truck was found in a northern portion of Walker County nearly 50 miles from where his body was recovered, police said.
Authorities have issued an Amber Alert and relayed information about the case to the media in hopes of finding a lead. The FBI's Child Abduction Rapid Deployment team has also joined the search for the missing teen.
"The Walker County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's assistance in this matter and feel that time may very well be of the essence," the statement from the sheriff's office said.
Authorities have not speculated on a possible motive in Coronado's slaying.
Adriana's mother, who is in Mexico recovering from surgery, said her husband had no known enemies. She said she last spoke with her husband and daughter on Friday evening.
"I'm dying with hurt," the teen's mom told Houston's KHOU 11 News. "Oh, my God. This is my only daughter, please return her to me."
Authorities do not have a description of a suspect or person of interest in the case.
Adriana is described as 5 feet tall and 105 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. She usually wears black-framed glasses.
Anyone with information about Adriana should call Walker County Sheriff investigators at (936)-435-2400 or Crime Stoppers at (713)-222-TIPS.
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