Flagler County investigators say the two gave false statements to deputies and sheltered a habitual runaway juvenile across multiple missing person cases while her family and law enforcement searched for her.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) has arrested a Palm Coast teenager and his stepfather after detectives determined both men knowingly hid a runaway juvenile from her parents and law enforcement — repeatedly — across seven documented missing person incidents over the past year. The most recent disappearance was reported on April 2, 2026.
What happened
The runaway juvenile is the girlfriend of Christopher Galezaai, 17, of Palm Coast. According to detectives, each time the girl was reported missing, deputies would eventually find her with Galezaai. In the most recent incident, the juvenile returned home on April 4 but left again after a disagreement with her parents. On April 5, Galezaai’s mother called the Flagler County Emergency Communications Center to turn the girl over to law enforcement. Deputies found Galezaai, his mother, and the missing juvenile together when they arrived.
The FCSO Major Case Unit then reviewed all seven incidents and determined that Galezaai had arranged for his stepfather, Richard Rios Jr., 53, also of Palm Coast, to pick up the juvenile and bring her to their home. Both men allowed her to stay there for extended periods without telling her parents or contacting law enforcement — even though deputies had warned them on prior occasions and they knew she had been reported missing. Detectives also found that Galezaai and Rios gave false and misleading information to investigators in an effort to hide their involvement.
Charges and outcome
Both Galezaai and Rios were arrested and charged with interfering with the custody of a minor, a third-degree felony in Florida. The charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. Both were transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. Galezaai was released to his parents by order of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. Rios was released on a $2,500 bond.
Rios has a prior criminal history that includes an arrest in Colorado in 2000 for harboring a minor, along with other charges over the years including burglary, domestic battery, DUI, battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery, child neglect with great bodily harm, driving while license suspended, and violation of probation.
Sheriff’s statement and plans to sue
“This dirtbag will not receive the stepfather of the year award. Harboring a runaway juvenile is not only irresponsible but illegal and comes with serious consequences, as these two found out the hard way. In this case, our deputies and detectives have dedicated time and resources on numerous occasions to locate the missing juvenile only to discover these two knew her location all along and helping her. Their criminal behavior diverts law enforcement from responding to real emergencies and wasted taxpayer dollars. We plan to sue them to recover all costs taxpayers incurred. Let this be a reminder to anyone thinking of interfering in a missing persons case that if you interfere in an investigation, you will be held criminally and civilly accountable.”
— Sheriff Rick Staly, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
The sheriff’s office stated that the seven missing person investigations drained significant resources and cost taxpayers thousands of dollars. Sheriff Staly said the county intends to pursue a civil lawsuit against Galezaai and Rios to recover those costs. All current charges are allegations — no convictions have been established. More information about the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is available at flaglersheriff.com.
