Missing Orange County mother presumed dead, deputies say

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Tia Bonta was last seen more than three months ago, and investigators with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said they believe she’s dead.

"So I have kind of prepared myself, but it was very hard to see the words 'presumed dead.' It's hard to say it right now," said her father, Kevin Bonta.

Bonta was reported missing Aug. 5 by her family. She was last seen July 31 at the Days Inn Hotel at 11639 East Colonial Drive in Orlando, deputies said. Since then, there hasn't been any communication from her, not a credit card transaction or even a phone call.

Bonta was staying with a friend who said he saw her get into a vehicle with James Dellofield Jr., deputies said. Dellofield said he dropped her off at another location, but deputies said that information can’t be substantiated. Dellofield now has a lawyer and will only communicate with deputies through the lawyer.

There have been several searches for Bonta, but nothing related to her disappearance has been found. The latest tip led deputies to a wooded area behind the Wendy's restaurant at University Boulevard and Rouse Road, but that did not turn up anything.

Bonta has missed several families birthdays, something family members said is unlike her.

"It's like a web. You go to this (area), you go to that, you find out it wasn't half as what they said it was and the source that said it don't want to be named. So we cant get to them to talk to them about it, and then they want to shut up and not say a word," Kevin Bonta said.

"We are getting some information, but not the most important one, which is, where is Tia? We want to find her. We want closure for the family and our detectives, who are working hard on this," said Jane Watrel, of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

A $5,000 reward has been offered for any information on Bonta's disappearance. Contact

for more information.

"I don't care what your name is. I don't care how old you are. I'm not even saying you did anything. I'm just asking you to tell me where she is," said Tia's father.

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