DORAL, FLA. (WSVN) - Family and friends are continuing to search for a missing mother and her 9-year-old daughter, as police continue to track down leads.
According to relatives, 43-year-old Liliana Moreno and 9-year-old Daniela Moreno had not been heard from since Sunday.
Thursday night, the daughter’s father, Gustavo Castaño, was found sitting inside of a vehicle near a Home Depot, located off of Okeechobee Road and Northwest 138th Street. Police said he threatened to harm himself with a knife and had already sustained self-inflicted wounds. His condition is unclear at this time.
Several agencies are involved in the search for the 43-year-old mother and her daughter, who have not been seen since Sunday. Dozens of people have gathered in Doral to hand out fliers and put up posters as the mother’s family flies into the city from Colombia to help with the search.
The brother of the missing mother, Eduardo Moreno, made a desperate plea to find his sister. “I need it. I need my sister, my niece,” he said. “We need more information, more help.”
The Missing Children Global Network lent a hand to get the word out Thursday evening. Several other community members gathered in prayer circles and passed out fliers. “There’s still a lot of people who don’t know that Liliana and Daniela are missing,” said Fernando Alvarez with the Missing Children Global Network, “people who may have valuable information.”
Moreno’s family in Colombia called authorities on Tuesday when they could not get in touch with the 43-year-old.
Investigators said Moreno’s home, located at the Doral Terrace apartment complex, near 107th Avenue and Northwest 50th Street, showed signs of a quick departure.
Once inside, investigators found the mother’s purse, containing her wallet and license. “She had left behind her wallet with her driver’s license,” said Doral Police Captain Carlos Arango, “and other small details in the apartment that seemed to suggest that she left the apartment in a big hurry.”
Detectives then took the search to a warehouse that is used by the missing girl’s father. Police hauled away a dumpster, which was covered with a blue plastic tarp, and several additional bags. Police have yet to say what they found inside the dumpster. “We’re going to look, and we’re going to turn over every single rock,” said Miami-Dade Police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta.
Police also searched Castaño’s West Miami-Dade home while he cooperated with investigators. Detectives were still on scene a day later to talk with neighbors.
Carlos Aguilar joined the search, Thursday. “For me, it’s a very special case,” said one man. “This is touching my heart really close.”
Aguilar said Moreno helped in the search after his son’s murder in 2012. He said that now he will do everything he can to help this family to find her. “If anybody knows anything, a clue, just give us a call,” Aguilar said.
If you have any information to help in the search, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a cash reward.
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