The Houston family’s emotional reunion ends without resolution after the teen’s mysterious disappearance.
HOUSTON — Three weeks after 14-year-old Emmanuel Garcia went missing while his mother and sister were selling fruit on a Houston street corner, Maria Garcia was able to see him again. The reunion took place Wednesday at a federal detention center for unaccompanied minors, where Emmanuel has been held since being picked up by HPD earlier this month.
At a press conference Wednesday at Congressman Al Green’s office, Maria, the teen’s mother, described the meeting as both joyful and heartbreaking. Maria said her hope remains the same, to reunite with her son and to take him home.
Congressman Green called the case “a mission of mercy,” adding that while the family’s full reunion has yet to happen, “today has been a good day, and some good things have happened.”
Attorney Raed Gonzalez who is representing the Garcia family, said Emmanuel is currently being evaluated by the Office of Refugee Resettlement and that officials are checking Maria’s background before approving the child’s release.
“We sure hope that it happens sooner rather than later,” Gonzalez said.
Garcia said she remains hopeful.
“With the help of God, I’ll be able to bring him home one day.”
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