A missing teen with autism has been found in New Mexico, about 320 miles from his home in southern Arizona, New Mexico State Police said.
The 13-year-old boy disappeared from his parents’ home in Tucson the night before, but turned up at a Walmart in Deming on Tuesday.
New Mexico authorities posted the photo on social media and asked for the public’s help in hopes of identifying the young man.
New Mexico State Police said someone recognized the boy within minutes of Tucson police’s earlier posting.
They confirmed Wednesday that the boy was reunited with his family and returned home safely.
“Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen by sharing, commenting and spreading the word,” New Mexico State Police said in a social media post.
The family took to social media to express their gratitude to the police and community.
They have no idea how this boy got to Deming.
“When my mom woke up, he wasn’t home. The front door was unlocked, but he was gone,” the boy’s brother, Mikel Desmond, told an Albuquerque television station. told KRQE.
The family contacted police, searched the area and created a missing person flyer and shared it online.
As time passed, Desmond said he began to lose hope of finding his brother.
He said even if someone handed the boy a phone and told him to call home, he wouldn’t be able to do so because he can’t communicate verbally.
The family received a call from New Mexico authorities Tuesday evening after the boy was examined at a local hospital.
Desmond said her brother ended up at Walmart trying to buy food and drinks, but he didn’t have any money.
The boy then reportedly hid in the bathroom, but was later found by police.
“It’s amazing how quickly news spreads through social media,” Desmond said. “And I never expected so many people to reach out and ask how they can help.”
Desmond told The Associated Press that after receiving the call, he and his mother drove to New Mexico, a three-hour trip each way, to pick up the boy and bring him home.
They shared photos of their reunion at Deming’s hospital.
Tucson police said they are investigating the boy’s trip.
