Carrollton Police Searching for Missing Grandfather, Grandkids

Carrollton police searching for a missing grandfather and his two grandchildren now believe the family may have traveled outside Texas.

William Gomez, 57, old family members at about 2 p.m. Sunday that he was taking his 7-year-old grandson, Marcus Gomez, and his 8-year-old granddaughter, Dominique Gomez, to one of two locations: Rhoton Park in Carrollton or Vista Ridge Mall in Lewisville.

The family reported him and the children missing at about 8 p.m. after they did not return home.

Family members said Gomez has memory loss.

"Mr. Gomez has a medical illness that causes memory loss, so we're very concerned for him and also for the children," police spokeswoman Nicole Rodriguez said.

Police said Gomez's debit card was used at a Sears in Paducah, Ky., at about 6:30 p.m. to buy children's underwear. Authorities there said Gomez had his grandchildren with him and asked for directions back to Dallas.

Earlier, police said Gomez's bank account was accessed from Little Rock, Ark., early Monday morning and his credit card was used at a gas station in Troy, Tenn., at about 2:30 p.m.

"We just hope he's OK and my grandkids are OK, but I know my husband," said Maria Gomez, his wife. "He's probably still driving. Wherever he's going, he's going forward."

Family members said the sightings are a positive development.

"We have a lot of people praying," Maria Gomez said. "Everybody who comes [says], 'What can we do for you?' Pray for us; pray for our kid; pray for my husband."

Carrollton police have contacted state police in Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri.

"At this point, we don't think there's any foul play, it's just possible he doesn't know where he is or where he needs to be," Rodriguez said.

On Monday, highway signs were activated to ask drivers to be on the lookout for William Gomez and his grandchildren. They were last seen in a white Jeep Grand Cherokee with Texas license plate DH1 Y337. Police said Gomez doesn't have his cellphone with him.

Anyone with information about the missing family should contact Carrollton police.

NBC 5's Brian Scott and Julie Fine contributed to this report.

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