Crime & Safety

Suspect Met Second Girl on Facebook

That detail leads authorities to fear that there may be other underage victims.

Authorities fear a Marietta man who allegedly molested a 6-year-old girl and made plans to run away to Mexico with a 13-year-old Marietta Middle School student may have preyed on other juveniles.

Josue Alejandro Gomez has been in the Cobb County Adult Detention Center since May 30 in connection with the alleged incident involving the 6-year-old girl.

But last week, authorities issued a new arrest warrant that spelled out details of a separate alleged incident involving the 13-year-old girl.

Marietta police Officer David Baldwin said today that Gomez sent a Facebook friend request to the teen, a detail that leads authorities to fear that there may be other underage victims. And if that's the case, investigators want to hear from people who have interacted with Gomez, he said.

In all, Gomez faces six charges in connection with both alleged incidents, including two counts of child molestation, two counts of sexual battery, one count of interference with custody and one count of enticing a child, sexual battery and child molestation.

Anyone with information about Gomez is asked to call 770-794-5363.

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