A 15-year-old mother and her 1-year-old son from Converse were found safe in the Houston area on Thursday, bringing a statewide AMBER Alert to a relieved close after officers tracked a vehicle to an apartment complex, authorities said.
How investigators tracked them
The Texas Department of Public Safety's Criminal Investigations Division said it relied on automated license-plate reader data and “thousands of tips” generated by the AMBER Alert to follow a suspect vehicle that had traveled from the Houston area to Converse and then back again. Special agents in San Antonio coordinated with DPS investigators in Houston before the pair were recovered at a Houston-area apartment complex, according to KABB/FOX San Antonio.
Last seen in Converse
The teen and her baby had been reported missing after leaving a foster home on May 9 in the 7000 block of Phoenix Path in Converse. Deputies said they were last seen at about 3 p.m. that day. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar told reporters that Escarleth left a note saying, “I'm leaving. Don't call the authorities. Send all my stuff back to Honduras,” as reported by the San Antonio Express-News.
DFPS request prompted AMBER Alert
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services asked DPS to assist in the missing-persons case, and DPS activated a statewide AMBER Alert earlier this week that authorities say produced a surge of leads. The alert was issued Monday and later discontinued after the children were located in Houston, according to KSAT.
Investigation continues
DPS said the investigation remains active and that any questions about DFPS custody matters or actions taken before DPS became involved should be directed to DFPS. Officials urged anyone with information to call 911 or contact DPS; local reports list the DPS tip line as 210-531-2284. The recovery was reported by the San Antonio Express-News.
