A boy who disappeared in 2023 has been found safe and reunited with his father, concluding a three-year search initiated after his mother allegedly abducted him amid a contentious custody battle. Andrew Escobar, who was 11 when he vanished, was located by El Paso authorities last week as his mother, Miriam Felix, attempted to cross the U.S.-Mexico border.
Juan Escobar, Andrew's father, was notified by El Paso police. "Just right away, he's like, 'Hey Mr Escobar, just wanted to let you know we have your son,'" Juan recounted of the call. "It took me like five, ten seconds to process it and say, 'What? You have him?' And he's like, 'Yeah, we have your son.'"
Felix triggered a warning when she attempted to cross the border, prompting authorities to check their identification. They discovered Andrew was listed as a missing person, leading to their detention. Since Andrew was reported missing, multiple state and federal agencies had been involved in the search across the United States.
It is believed that Felix took Andrew on a journey spanning various countries, including Austria, Albania, and Turkey, according to his father. Andrew's passport reportedly contained a stamp from Amsterdam. Authorities suspect Andrew was in Turkey within the last two months before his mother headed to Mexico.
Juan Escobar had maintained a dedicated search effort, updating a Facebook page titled "Help Find Andrew Oliver Escobar" and engaging with media and government officials. New Mexico State Senator Jay Block supported the efforts, delivering a speech about Andrew in the state senate on his birthday in January.
Following the reunion, Juan expressed gratitude on Facebook, attributing the discovery to divine timing and thanking the numerous individuals who assisted in the search. "We Praise God and this amazing blessing. We are so grateful to have found Andrew Safe. We give all Glory to God and his perfect timing," he wrote.
Darlene Gomez, an attorney who represented Juan and his wife during the search, noted that the family's next steps involve readjustment and Andrew's recovery. "I think for this family, there is a lot of unknowns. It's the family getting to know one another again and to work at different paces," Gomez said.
Juan conveyed concerns about his son's mental well-being despite Andrew being physically unharmed. "He's just been through so much the last three years emotionally and mentally," the father stated.
Felix is currently being held in an El Paso jail awaiting extradition to New Mexico.
