Authorities in Austin were called to a residence in Del Valle following a distressing 911 report concerning a 7-year-old girl found malnourished and confined in a bedroom closet.

Upon arrival, officers discovered six other children in the home who appeared to be in good physical health. Reports indicate the young girl was found in a soiled state, with heavy boxes used to barricade the closet door where she was imprisoned.

According to an arrest affidavit, Virginia Marie Gonzales faces allegations of imprisoning the child in the closet for extended periods, stretching “weeks at a time.”

The affidavit also mentions that the girl’s grandmother informed investigators the child struggled with bladder control and had a tendency to consume inedible items.

As a result, the siblings were allegedly instructed to keep her confined in the closet.

The 7-year-old was hospitalized and is now recovering. During the investigation, detectives learn about another child, Ava, who has been missing for years. Virginia Marie Gonzales, Ava‘s mother, was arrested on a charge of serious injury to a child in connection with the 7-year-old’s case.

According to police, the missing now 9-year-old child was last seen when she was just 2 years old and in the custody of her mother, Virginia Marie Gonzales.

Now, Gonzales has rejected a plea offer related to her arrest. The State offered Gonzales a 40-year prison sentence in exchange for her guilty plea. She and her attorney, Gabe Hernandez, rejected the offer, calling it  “utterly absurd.” Gonzales is still in custody.

Trial is set to begin January 26, 2026.

Joining Nancy Grace today:

Additional Guests

• LeAnne Marie – Friend of Mom, Virginia Gonzales
• Daryl Parker – Private Investigator at Blackfish; Former Lieutenant in the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, Private Investigator at Blackfish Intelligence Former Marine, Former Texas Police Officer  worked with the Innocence Project of Texas for the last ten years); Instagram: @blackfishintel, FB – blackfishintelligence
• Virginia Bagby – Director of the ChildHelp National Child Abuse Hotline; Facebook and Instagram: @ChildHelp

“Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” on Fox Nation is also a national radio show on SiriusXM channel 111, airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.

[Feature Photo: Ava Gonzales, Handout/Virginia Gonzales, Austin PD]