Guatemalan Man Identified as Suspect in Horrific Death of 11-Year-Old

PASADENA, TX – A suspect accused of killing an 11-year-old girl in a town outside of Houston has been revealed.

As previously reported, on Aug. 12, 2023, Pasadena Police Officers were dispatched to an apartment complex near the intersection of Main and Harris for the report of a child that was not breathing. Paramedics arrived on the scene first and pronounced 11-year-old Maria Gonzalez, of Guatemala, dead on the scene. It was confirmed that the child was raped and strangled to death. For the original story see: Migrant Girl Raped & Strangled to Death Near Houston

At the time there was no known suspect to police. However, on Aug. 18, 2023, the PPD released a statement confirmed that suspect is Juan Carlos Garcia-Rodriguez, 18, of Guatemala. The following is the full release from the PPD:

As the investigation into the murder of 11-year-old Maria Gonzalez continues to progress
we would like to provide additional details. All apartment complex employees, including the maintenance staff, have fully cooperated with our investigation and at this point do not appear to be involved.

While investigators were processing the crime scene, a single key was located inside the apartment and collected as evidence. This key has since been processed by our crime scene investigators and was not found to open any doors at the victim's residence.

Our investigators also confirmed that the young girl's body was found inside a plastic trash bag that was placed inside a laundry basket and concealed under a bed inside the home. We will continue to work with  the Institute of Forensie Sciences, who is currently assisting with the analysis of multiple pieces of evidence.

Although we continue combing through multiple evidentiary items, including digital media, no arrests have been made: however, a person of interest has been identified. 18-year-old Juan Carlos Garcia-Rodriguez is a person of interest and was residing at the same apartment complex where the victim was found but has since left.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5.000 for information leading to the charging and/or arrest of the suspect(s) in this case. Information may be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org, or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app. Only tips and calls DIRECTLY TO Crime Stoppers are anonymous and eligible for a cash reward

As of Friday at 6 p.m. no arrest has been made.