AMBER Alert issued for 14-year-old girl authorities say was abducted by 22-year-old man

GONZALES, Texas — An AMBER Alert has been issued for a 14-year-old girl who authorities say was abducted by a 22-year-old man in Gonzales, Texas.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Scarlett Smith was last seen wearing a red Nike hoodie when she disappeared in the 15700 block of West U.S. Highway 90 at 11 p.m. on Monday. She stands 5-foot-4; weighs about 187 pounds; and has red hair with hazel eyes. 

Police said the suspect, 22-year-old Barry Van Mersbergen, is believed to be driving a tan 2012 GMC Terrain with Texas license plate number 3RVWG. They added that he may also go by Ben.

Gonzales is about an hour east of San Antonio.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call 911.

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