Tire shop workers helped find a mentally disabled kid who ran away and was missing for weeks.
Mauricio, who lived under a bridge on Federal Road, survived for days with the support of workers from a nearby tire shop. Jose Madrid met Mauricio while he was looking for food and water.
After buying Mauricio a burger, Jose asked him why he was living on the streets. Mauricio explained that he ran away after breaking a window on his dad’s work van, and then he left suddenly.
The workers at the tire shop noticed Mauricio coming by every day, so they started giving him food, clothes, and shoes. But since they didn’t have any way to reach out to him or his family, they couldn’t take him back home.
The tire shop workers suggested to Mauricio that he should go back to his dad, but he decided to stay on the streets instead. Later, Jose Madrid saw Mauricio’s face on the news and contacted the police. They found Mauricio on Saturday and brought him back to his father.
Mauricio’s dad, Jose Reyes, is grateful for the assistance and is seeking additional support for Mauricio’s mental well-being.
Mauricio is glad to be back home with his dad.
Jose expressed his gratitude, saying, “I appreciate all your efforts to locate my son.”
If you find a missing child
If you come across a child you think might be lost, it’s crucial to act quickly and decisively. Delaying could cause the child to wander further and make the situation more complicated.
Pay attention to subtle signs like a child appearing anxious, walking quickly, or showing self-comforting behaviors such as putting hands near their mouth.
Keep in mind that younger children may not realize they’re lost, which makes it easier for them to wander away.
Approach the child gently and crouch down to their eye level to appear less intimidating. Introduce yourself calmly and respectfully.
Since children are often cautious around strangers, being kind and respectful when initiating contact can help establish trust.
Make sure to reassure the child that they’re not in trouble and kindly ask for their name and age, as most children are comfortable sharing this information.
Engaging them in a conversation about where they were before getting lost can help keep them in one place and build trust.
Some parents take proactive measures by giving their children identification bands or stickers with contact details, which can speed up the process of reuniting them with their families.
If the child doesn’t know their name or age, stick with them and try to find their parent or guardian.
If a staff member suggests making an announcement, it might be better to stay nearby to support the child.
When you do find the parent or guardian, keep an eye on the situation. Sometimes bad people take advantage of lost child situations, so watch how the parent and child interact.
If the reunion seems warm and the parent uses the child’s name naturally, that’s a good sign.
If the child seems scared or unsure, or if the parent has difficulty confirming the child’s identity, be careful. If something seems wrong, don’t hesitate to call the authorities.
Never give the child back to someone if you’re not completely sure it’s safe. If you suspect abuse or trafficking, act quickly.
If you’re not sure what to do, don’t hesitate to call emergency services for help. Organizations like the NSPCC can also provide guidance.
It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to a child’s safety. If you see a child who seems to be missing, contact the police right away and do as they instruct.
The tire shop workers showed great care for Mauricio Reyes, the lost child. You can see how they helped him in the video below.
