Search Continues For 6-Year-Old Texas Girl
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Search Continues For 6-Year-Old Texas Girl Save Email Print
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(November 20, 2008)-- The search continued Thursday for a 6-year-old Texas girl who’s the focus of an Amber Alert after she was abducted by her mother, who’s also suspected in the beating of her mother, who had conservatorship of the young girl.

Authorities say Tonya Renee Martin, 41, took Jewel Noel Klein Tuesday from Rebecca Creek Elementary School in Spring Branch.

Officials say they also suspect Martin of severely beating her 68-year-old mother Melba Balantac.

Comal County Sheriff's Department spokesman Mark Reynolds said Balantac was beaten very badly.

The Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News reported that deputies were able to communicate with Balantac for a short time.

Deputies said she was able to give them some information, implicating her daughter.

Investigators realized Jewel was missing only after Balantac was taken to the hospital.

Reynolds said Martin was seen driving Balantac's blue Hyundai Sonata before the assault.

The missing girl is white, about 4-feet tall, weighs about 60 pounds and has blonde hair and blue eyes.

She was wearing a red plaid sundress.

Martin is 5-foot-2, weighs 107 pounds and has blonde hair and blue eyes.

Martin is believed to be driving a blue 2005 Hyundai Sonata with Texas license 404ZNM.

She was last heard from in Spring Branch.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Comal County Sheriff’s Office at (830) 620-3400.
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Posted by: Anon Location: Waco on Nov 20, 2008 at 04:35 PM
Why did the school let her leave with the little girl? Shouldn't they have known about the circumstances surrounding this? I hope they find her and she gets home safely.
Posted by: SHANNON Location: TEMPLE on Nov 20, 2008 at 02:40 PM
PRAY, PRAY, PRAY.
Posted by: Michelle Location: Central TX on Nov 20, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Let's pull together and find her quickly..as the mother sounds like she is willing to do anything violent at this point...great job on the descriptions, to include the car!!!! Please God, bring her home safely.
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