Police and family find missing persons

Written by Phil Cerroni

Irving Police sought the public’s help in locating two missing persons on Oct. 27.

James Florez, 37-years-old, and his 11-month-old daughter, Victoria Florez, were last seen leaving his mother’s house in Irving at 6:30 p.m., Oct 26. A short time later, at about 7 p.m., he spoke with his wife who was at work. Florez told her he was at home and did not mention going anywhere.

When his wife arrived home at 9 p.m., they were gone. No had seen or heard from them since he last spoke with his wife. There were no signs of foul play at the residence and Florez’s truck was gone.

Investigators learned that Florez is a drug user who is known to stay gone for a number of days while using drugs. Investigators were concerned for the welfare of the child. Florez was not answering his cell phone or had turned it off. The phone was pinged several times and was shown to be in the east Irving or west Dallas area. Officers and investigators looked in those areas but were not immediately successful in locating them.

This was the first time Florez has left with his daughter and not told anyone where he was going. Family members did not think he was trying to leave with her.

Early on the morning of Oct. 28, just after midnight, the two missing persons were located near the Trinity River at Loop 12 and Northwest Hwy. Family members had been driving around and looking for the two when they spotted Lopez' truck. Lopez and his daughter were in good condition. Lopez' truck was off the road and stuck in the mud. 

It appeared as if they had been at the location for some time. Based on officers’ conversations with Lopez, their observations of the vehicle, the child and the conditions around the truck, Lopez was taken into custody and transported to Parkland Hospital for evaluation. The child was checked by paramedics and cleared to be released to her mother.