Mariah Martinez Is Alive

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

Mariah Martinez, a 9-year-old girl who went missing in Texas two years ago, was found alive. The little girl, who had been missing since 2016, was found in New Mexico. The fortunate event occurred after a segment on her case was broadcast on national television, PEOPLE confirmed.

The girl was found Monday, according to Lubbock police and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. An episode of the A&E LivePD reality show that told Mariah's story aired on Friday, and a viewer alerted authorities to the girl's whereabouts.

Authorities have reported that Mariah and her two brothers - Jeremiah, who was then 5 and Leimiah, who was 2 - disappeared in 2016 after the court ordered her mother Amanda Martinez to turn them over.

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services began investigating the mother after Jeremiah allegedly informed his teacher that his mother's boyfriend was physically abusing him and had threatened to kill the entire family.

According to local news media, the mother was arrested on January 17, 2017 after returning to Lubbock and leaving little Jeremiah and Leihmiah with a relative. However, Mariah was not with them and the mother declined to say where the girl was, according to investigators.

The mother was ordered to have no contact with her children for three years, according to court documents. It is unknown who the girl will now live with, and details of where and in what physical condition she was found have not been revealed. Lubbock Police released a statement Tuesday thanking her for finding her alive: "We are grateful that the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children continued to make this case a priority, thereby ensuring that Mariah returns home safely."