Mother of 5 disappears, police say

HOUSTON – Houston police are asking for the public’s help surrounding the disappearance of a single mother of five.

Esmeralda Pargas-Nunez, 42, has been missing since Aug. 3.  On Friday, investigators sent out an alert about her disappearance, hoping to receive tips on her whereabouts.

A family friend, Flavio Salinas, tells Channel 2 News Esmeralda worked at the Snow Flake Donut & Deli shop along I-45 and Gulf Bank Road. 

Salinas said on Aug. 3, Esmeralda was supposed to meet a woman she had recently met through work, at a park near Veterans Memorial Drive.  The woman said she never showed up. 

“As unfortunate as it sounds, I think she was kidnapped and she's definitely in danger,” Salinas said.

He said police located her abandoned vehicle between Greenspoint and Spring, but found no signs of her. 

Now he’s just hoping he’s wrong about what has happened to her. 

“Best case scenario in my opinion is I hope she turns out alive and everything’s okay,” Salinas said.

If you have any information, call Houston Police at 832-394-1840 or 832-394-1816.