14-Year-Old Boy Found Safe After Disappearing From the Country Three Years Ago: ‘Shock and Disbelief’

A child who vanished more than three years ago after authorities said he was abducted by his mother in New Mexico has been found safe in Texas.

Andrew Escobar was just 11 years old when his mother, Miriam Felix, fled the country with him in July 2023, according to a report from KOAT7. Miriam and Andrew’s father, Juan Escobar, were allegedly in the middle of a custody dispute when she disappeared with her son.

Last week, Juan received a call from El Paso police, who told him they had located Andrew.

“I mean, I was in such shock and disbelief,” Juan said, per KOAT7. “He just right away is like, ‘Hey, Mr. Escobar, I just want you to know we have your son.’ And I mean, it took me like five, 10 seconds to process it and say, ‘What? You have him?’ And he’s like, ‘Yeah, we have your son.'”

Authorities told Juan that Miriam was caught when she crossed back over the United States border from Mexico.

“His mom triggered some sort of warning, and then they checked his ID, and then that’s when they recognized that he was listed as a missing person, and that’s when they detained them both,” he explained.

Juan was also told that Andrew had traveled the world since his mother fled with him, including places like Albania, Turkey and Austria.

While Juan said that “physically” Andrew is “well,” they are concerned about his “mental health.”

“He’s just been through so much the last three years emotionally and mentally,” he added.

Juan’s attorney, Darlene Gomez, told KOAT7 that Andrew would be allowed to recover while authorities continue their investigation.

In the meantime, Miriam is being held in an El Paso jail until she can be extradited back to New Mexico.