An 11-year-old boy, Andrew Escobar, who was reported missing three years ago, has been found safe in El Paso, Texas. His mother, Miriam Felix, fled with him in July 2023, initiating a search effort that spanned years and multiple countries.
Andrew's father, Juan Escobar, and his stepmother, Monique Escobar, dedicated themselves to finding him, even quitting their jobs to search full-time. They expressed shock and disbelief upon receiving a call from an El Paso police officer on Wednesday. The officer indicated that Felix had triggered an alert while attempting to cross the border from Mexico into the U.S. Andrew's identity was then checked, confirming he was listed as a missing person, leading to the detention of both Felix and her son.
Andrew was last seen in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, before his disappearance. Albuquerque police had issued multiple felony warrants for Felix due to violations of custody agreements. Throughout the years of his absence, Juan Escobar continued to mark significant milestones, including his son's birthday, while maintaining hope for his return. He described his son as his best friend, with whom he shared many activities and jokes.
While Andrew appears to be physically well, his father expressed concern about the emotional and mental toll the past three years may have had on him. According to family representative Darlene Gomez, Felix is currently awaiting extradition to Mexico. The family is now navigating the complexities of reuniting and reacquainting after years of separation.