Reporter
Lorena Figueroa

A 14-year-old girl reported missing since last week from the Dallas-Fort Worth area was found Thursday in Juárez, police in the border city said Friday.
The teenager was found around 5 a.m. at the intersection of María Martínez Street and Benito Juárez Avenue, a few blocks from the Paso del Norte international bridge in downtown Juárez.
Officers patrolling the area found the girl arguing with Stephan Andrew Cox, 26. The girl identified herself as "Paloma," and she alleged that Cox had taken her into Mexico by force and raped her, police reported.
Cox was arrested. Police said he had a bag of marijuana when he was arrested.
The Texas girl had been missing since April 24, when she didn't return home from North Oaks Middle School in Haltom City.
North Richland Hills police issued an Amber Alert looking for the teenager, who was thought to be with Cox.
Juárez police said Cox was taken to the Distrito Universidad Police Station, where he was taken into custody on charges of human trafficking, rape, threat and drug charges.
Juárez police said that Cox had previously tried to lure another 14-year-old girl from Pennsylvania but was arrested. He was awaiting trial on bond when he allegedly threatened the Texas girl and forced her to leave her family and cross the border with him, according to police.
The girl was taken to the Attorney General's Office in Juárez to give a sworn statement against
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Cox.
Police said arrangements have begun to return the 14-year-old to her family in Texas.
Lorena Figueroa may be reached at lfigueroa@elpasotimes.com; 546-6129.