Boyfriend Of Missing Woman Arrested For Child Abuse

A new twist in the investigation for a missing Sampson County woman. The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday they are still trying to find 38 year-old Maria Ventura Cruz who was last seen Sunday night at her home on Hayes Mill Road in the Godwin community.

A missing person’s report was filed Monday by a family member. Criminal misconduct has not been ruled out.

The Sampson County Department of Social Services was contacted Monday about possible child neglect involving Cruz’s three small children. A separate investigation was launched into the child neglect allegations. As a result warrants were obtained against Cruz boyfriend, 26 year-old Francisco Nopal Yerbafria of the same address. He has been charged with misdemeanor child abuse. Because the neglect allegations involve a juvenile no additional information was released.  Yerbafria was given a $10,000 bond.

Deputies ask anyone with any information about Maria Ventura Cruz is asked to please come forward.