12-Year-Old Florida Girl Found in South Carolina with Man She Met Online
Union County, S.C. — A 12 year old girl reported missing from Plant City, Florida, was found in Union County, South Carolina, on May 22, after being brought there by 22-year-old Jose Miguel Lagos, whom she met through an online app.
The Union County Sheriff’s Office reported that the girl had visible bruises on her neck and arm, raising immediate concerns about her well being. Authorities stated that Lagos, who was working in Georgia, drove to Tampa to pick up the girl, intending for them to live together as “living partners.”
On May 23, Lagos visited the sheriff’s office and admitted to giving the girl hickies, which caused the bruises, and engaging in sexual intercourse with her, believing she was 16 based on their online conversations where she claimed she was being abused. The girl, who required an interpreter during questioning, was safely returned to authorities, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was notified to coordinate her return. The case has highlighted the dangers of online interactions for minors, prompting calls for increased parental vigilance.
Lagos was arrested and charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor in South Carolina, a felony, and faces an additional charge of interference with custody in Plant City, Florida, for unlawfully taking the girl across state lines.
The investigation remains ongoing. The girl is now under the care of appropriate authorities, with support services in place as the case progresses. Nothing further at this time.
