In a heartbreaking and horrifying crime, 11-year-old Maria Gonzalez was raped and murdered in her home in Pasadena, Texas. Her father, Carmelo Gonzalez, made the devastating discovery when he returned from work to find his daughter's lifeless body stuffed into a laundry basket and hidden under a bed. Authorities in Pasadena have named Juan Carlos Garcia Rodriguez, an 18-year-old Guatemalan migrant, as a person of interest in the case.

Garcia Rodriguez, who lived in the same apartment complex as Gonzalez, has since disappeared, prompting concerns that he may have fled the country. It was revealed that he entered the United States through El Paso in January, surrendering himself to border officers. After being handed papers, he was allowed entry into the country. Department of Homeland Security sources provided this information to NewsNation.

The local medical examiner's office confirmed that Gonzalez had been sexually assaulted before being strangled to death. The brutal nature of the crime has shocked the community and left her family devastated. Gonzalez's father contacted the authorities immediately, calling 911 after finding his daughter's lifeless body. However, paramedics who arrived at the scene pronounced her dead.

Detectives investigating the case discovered a key at the crime scene that did not match any of the doors in the residence. However, it did open another apartment in the complex. This led police to connect Garcia Rodriguez to the residence and interview him. However, he has not been seen since Monday afternoon, and there are concerns that he may have fled the country.

Pasadena Police Chief Josh Bruegger did not confirm reports that Garcia Rodriguez had successfully left the country. However, authorities have released an image of the suspect and are offering a $5,000 reward for any information that leads to his arrest.

The devastated father, Carmelo Gonzalez, shared details of his last interactions with his daughter. He had been texting with her throughout the day while she was home alone. At one point, she informed her father that someone was knocking at the front door. In response, he advised her not to open the door as he was on his way to work. Her last message to him was, "I am in my bed."

The victim's mother, Ana Elizabeth Xitumul Saput, who resides in Guatemala with Maria's younger sister and other relatives, demanded justice for her daughter. Xitumul Saput, who suffers from heart issues, expressed her desire to see her daughter's remains brought back to Guatemala. She pleaded for her daughter's killer to turn himself in, saying, "I don't want to cry anymore, because I have a bad heart. I want justice."

With no suspects identified, Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for any information that helps lead to an arrest in this tragic case. The community is left mourning the loss of a young girl and searching for answers as authorities continue their investigation. The heinous nature of this crime has left everyone shocked and seeking closure for the grieving family.