Abducted Georgia Teen Ayvani Hope Perez Found Alive
Investigators fanned out across state in search for Ayvani Hope Perez.
Sept. 18, 2013— -- A Georgia teen who was allegedly abducted by two frustrated gunmen during a home invasion Tuesday morning was found safe today, Clayton County Police said. Two suspects are in custody.
Ayvani Hope Perez, 14, was found at a location in Conyers, Ga., said Clayton County Police Chief Gregory Porter in a press conference this afternoon. "This is a good day for the family," Porter said.
He credited "hardcore law enforcement, boots to the ground," for helping authorities locate the teen, who he said was found in good health but is undergoing an evaluation.
The teen has since been reunited with her family, Porter said, and two suspects have been taken into custody.
The suspects were identified by the FBI as Wildrego Jackson of Atlanta, and Juan Alberto Contreras-Rodriguez, a 40-year-old Mexican national who is being held on immigration-related charges.
Authorities said two potential suspects seen in composite drawings are still being sought. Porter declined to provide further information, citing the ongoing investigation.
The search for Perez involved more than 150 personnel, Porter said. Authorities fanned out across Georgia over the past two days with police checkpoints and helicopters searching for the teen.
Teen Allegedly Abducted During Home Invasion
Perez was in her pajamas when police say two men broke in the back door of her Ellenwood, Ga., home Tuesday at 2:15 a.m. looking for jewelry and money. When Perez's mother said the family didn't have any, the suspects shot the family dog and fled the home with Perez, according to police.
The family had just moved to Ellenwood, a small community about 10 miles southeast of Atlanta, a month ago and police believed they had no connection to the abductors.