On May 5, 2024 deputies responded to Georgia Road in Gray Court in reference to missing 11 year old Ruby Guevara. We received limited information from the onset and throughout the investigation, but it was believed that Ruby was with a 21 year old whose legal identity could not be confirmed initially.
This subject was later identified as Rafael Antonio Santos Garcia, an individual familiar with the family. SLED was contacted in the very early stages of this investigation to assist us. Various methods were used in an attempt to locate the two and it was discovered they had crossed multiple state lines. At this time, the FBI was requested to assist.
On May 21, 2024 Ruby was located safe in Prince George County, Maryland with Garcia and members of his family. Garcia is currently being held in Prince George’s County Correctional Center on charges of Kidnapping and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and is awaiting extradition back to South Carolina.
Arrangements are being made to bring Ruby back to South Carolina. This is an ongoing matter with more charges expected. We would like to thank the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office, and The Prince George’s County Police Department for their assistance.
"I am truly thankful that Ruby has been located safely. This was a tough situation, sorting through limited information and trying to find a subject who made it his mission to not be found. I understand the desire for details, but certain information had to be kept discreet for Garcia to be located. I appreciate SLED, the FBI, Lexington County, Prince George’s County, and our investigators for being dedicated and pressing on to find Ruby.” -Sheriff Don Reynolds
