Authorities in Texas have staged a search for a 29-year-old woman they say disappeared more than a week ago.
According to KVIA, Erika Gaytan of El Paso was last seen on the evening of July 13 on a date at a local concert.
While the man who accompanied her said they left separately and Gaytan took a ride with an Uber driver, her family is reportedly suspicious of that account.
Furthermore, her loved ones say the devoted mother would never voluntarily walk away from her 7-year-old son.
Initial statements from police indicated they did not immediately suspect foul play was involved in her disappearance. Officials began circulating a photograph of the missing woman along with a description.
Gaytan is about 120 pounds and 5 foot 4 inches tall. She was last known to be wearing a white dress — the same one seen in the most recent available photograph of her. Reports show she has brown eyes, brown hair and has a pierced lower lip.
As of Thursday evening, Gaytan was the subject of an active missing persons report and the El Paso Police Department was seeking tips about her possible whereabouts. A news statement identified her as “endangered” and locals gathered at an area church for a vigil.
Many of those mourners had also volunteered to take part in a local search for Gaytan.
Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the El Paso Police Department by calling 915-832-4400.
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[Featured image: Erika Gaytan, El Paso Police Department]