In the small city of Americus, Georgia, a community was unsettled by the disappearance of a young girl named Evelin Judith Banegas Pagoada. On the evening of April 13, 2025, the fifteen-year-old left a group home on Mill Creek Road at approximately 7:45 p.m. She was last seen wearing a black 'Selena' t-shirt and white shorts. Her long black hair was styled in a ponytail, adorned with four small yellow ribbons, and she had a distinctive ink drawing on her wrist. Evelin is described as being 5 feet tall and weighing around 170 pounds. Witnesses reported that she did not appear to be in any distress when she was last seen.
The moments following Evelin's departure were filled with growing concern as she did not return as expected. Described as a quiet and creative teenager who enjoyed music and sketching, her sudden and uncharacteristic absence alarmed those who knew her. Staff at the group home noted that she was a cooperative and respectful individual who had never left without permission before. There were reportedly no warning signs in her recent behavior to suggest she was planning to run away. Her disappearance prompted an immediate response from law enforcement and concerned community members.
In the wake of her disappearance, the Americus Police Department launched an investigation, urging the public to come forward with any information. Search efforts were initiated, with officers and volunteers combing through neighborhoods, parks, and trails in the hopes of finding any sign of the missing teen. Despite these efforts, no trace of Evelin was found. Investigators explored various possibilities, including that she may have intended to meet someone or been picked up in a vehicle. Her story was shared through news outlets and social media, spreading her image and the details of her case to a wider audience in the hope that a crucial tip would emerge. The case remains a painful and unresolved mystery for her family and the Americus community, a stark reminder of a young life interrupted.
Last Seen: Apr 13, 2025
