Case highlights parents need for online vigilance [Video]

The disappearance of 12-year-old Maria Gomez-Perez and her safe recovery nearly 60 days later, highlights a problem every family faces. 

Cyber safety experts say all children with online access are vulnerable to getting messaged by strange adults who may want to do them harm.   

At a press conference Friday, Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch announced that after a nearly 60-day search, Maria Gomez-Perez had been found safe in Ohio, with a 34-year-old man.  

“We believe Maria had been communicating for a time with Mr. Augustin via Facebook Messenger and some other online apps,” Sheriff Couch said.  

That’s how he explained that 34-year-old Antonio Augustin was able to entice 12-year-old Gomez-Perez to get in a car with him and drive to Ohio.  

Chief Parenting Officer for Bark Technologies, Titania Jordan, says this could’ve happened to any 12-year-old.  

“First of all, parents can know that this absolutely can happen to your child,” she said.  

Jordan says many parents …