HOUSTON – A Houston teen with autism who went missing for almost a week has been in ICE custody for several days, according to a local organization. An ICE spokesperson sent a statement to FOX 26 denying the claim.
Updated report: Missing Houston teen located at immigration facility, family questions HPD Previous reporting: Missing Houston teen in immigration custody
The backstory:
The teen was reported missing after he was last seen Saturday afternoon near the intersection of Clay Road and Hempstead Road in Spring Branch.
FIEL, an immigrant-led civil rights organization, helped the boy’s family put out a call for help during a press conference on Friday.
According to the organization, the teen was selling fruit with his mother and sister on Saturday when he asked to go to the restroom. His mom was reportedly busy tending to a customer at the time, and when she turned back around, he was gone.
After trying to find her son, his mom called Houston police and filed a missing person report.Â
Hours after the press conference on Friday, Houston police confirmed with FOX 26 that the teen had been found safe and his family had been contacted.
FOX 26 later learned from FIEL that a law enforcement agency found the teen, and he had been in ICE custody at a Houston-area detention center since Monday. He is reportedly OK.Â
The family is undocumented. They are working to get him out of custody.
ICE statement
The other side:
An ICE spokesperson sent the following statement to FOX 26:
“On Oct. 5, the Houston Police Department contacted ICE about a minor they had picked up who claimed to be homeless and from another country. ICE worked with HPD to see if they could identify the minor or any of the minor’s family members living in the U.S. When no family could be identified, ICE helped HPD place the minor with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement. At no point was the minor in ICE custody. For additional information, please contact the Office of Refugee Resettlement or HPD.
Since the boy is not a U.S. citizen, Child Protective Services is not able to assist. That’s why authorities had to work with ORR to find a safe shelter for the boy until he could be reconnected with his family.”
The Source: The information in this article comes from Houston Police and FIEL, along with a press conference with the missing boy’s mother, a social worker and FIEL Executive Director Cesar Espinosa.