FORT STEWART, Ga. — Specialist Virginie Nguena, a dedicated soldier stationed at Fort Stewart, finds herself in a distressing situation, seeking answers from a woman entrusted with caring for her beloved dog, Bingo, during her deployment.

Back in June 2025, when Nguena volunteered for a deployment to Poland, she was faced with the tough decision of leaving her one-year-old canine companion behind. In a bid to ensure Bingo’s well-being during her absence, she posted an online ad, urgently searching for someone trustworthy to look after her pet for a year.

A woman from Hinesville responded to the call, agreeing to the arrangement for $500 every six months. Feeling reassured, Nguena dropped Bingo off with the sitter on June 11, confident that her dog would be in safe hands.

“She promised to send me videos and pictures, assuring me that Bingo would be well-cared for and even spoiled,” Nguena recounted, reflecting on the initial comfort she felt with the arrangement. The assurances brought her peace of mind as she embarked on her deployment.

However, merely ten days into the agreement, Nguena’s sense of security was shattered. The sitter’s demeanor took an unexpected turn, and she began demanding additional funds, claiming the need to cover the cost of Bingo’s food.

“I stopped her right away,” Nguena said. “I said, you know what, I feel like it’s going to be a problem for you. Please tell me, and I will send someone there by the end of the month to take him. She said, no. She got it.”

Nguena told News 3 that she doesn’t have many other options with her closest family and friends in El Paso, Texas.

She said the sitter continued to make excuses for not sending pictures of the dog and asked for more money. Nguena also said the sitter keeps changing the address of where she lives, making it harder for her to track her down.

Then, Nguena was told that Bingo was dead.

“[She told me] I never sent her money, and the dog was hungry,” Nguena said. “I don’t know where the dog is. I don’t believe the dog is dead. She probably sold the dog, or she still has the dog, and she’s hiding and won’t give him to me.”

Nguena said she now feels helpless being overseas and looking for help locating Bingo.

She said she did reach out to the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office (LSCO) but was told this was a civil matter at this point. Now, she’s looking for an attorney as she has about six more months overseas.

When reached out to LCSO for details on this case a spokesperson said, “This agency does not have any information.”

did not publish the name of the dog-sitter, since there are no charges filed at this time.