Above Images: Left and Center: Rodriguez, circa 1999
Right: Age-progressed to 11 (circa 2006)
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: February 2, 1999 from Punta Gorda, Florida
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: February 5, 1995
Age: 3
Height: 3'0"
Weight: 30-35 lbs.
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Race: Hispanic
Gender: Female
Distinguishing Characteristics: Red birthmark on the
bridge of her nose
NCIC Number: M-192801442
Case Number: NCMC860724
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Details of Disappearance
Pilar's father, Marco Rodriquez, allowed Melissa Cooper, the girl's babysitter to take his daughter on a vacation to Charlotte County. Melissa and Pilar travelled to Punta Gorda, Florida to visit Melissa's boyfriend, Keith Alan Wilson .
Cooper claims Wilson fatally beat the child and buried her -- but she wasn't told where. Investigators received a tip that Preacher's Lake may hold clues, or even the remains of Pilar, and began draining the 40-acre lake. Divers recovered child-sized T-shirts; one of the shirts had a Winnie-the-Pooh logo it. Marco Rodriguez said his daughter owned such a shirt.
Detectives have conducted hundreds of interviews and scoured miles of rural Charlotte County looking for Pilar. More than 4,000 hours have gone into the search, with help from 14 police agencies across Florida. Pilar's remains have yet to be found.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Cpl. Rickey L. Hobbs
(941) 639-2101
Source Information
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Polk Online
Child Protection Education of America
