Matheo Vasquez was found safe after being missing for nearly two days. The suspect, Jason Irwin Vasquez, is not in custody.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A 15-month-old boy at the center of an AMBER Alert was found safe on Monday, two days after he was reported missing, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
The boy’s uncle, Jason Irwin Vasquez, is still wanted on a kidnapping charge, HCSO officials said. He has not been taken into custody as of 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the HCSO Homicide Unit at 713-274-9100.
Original story:
An AMBER Alert was issued for 15-month-old Matheo Vasquez.
Matheo was last seen on Jan. 25 at around 5:19 p.m. on Green Stone Drive near Addicks Satsuma Road in northwest Harris County. He was last known to be with Jason Irwin Vasquez, 25.
On Saturday, HCSO said Vasquez was driving a 2016 dark gray GMC Sierra pickup truck with license plate #JZY5720, but on Sunday, investigators told KHOU 11 News they didn’t think Vasquez was in that vehicle anymore.
Matheo’s mother, Brissa Ortiz-Perez, spoke with KHOU 11 News about her son’s disappearance.
“[Matheo} is happy, he’s healthy, he’s beautiful, that’s the love of my life,” Ortiz-Perez said.
She is distraught as the search continues. Ortiz-Perez and her family spent the afternoon handing out flyers in the Hearthstone neighborhood where the boy was last seen. Ortiz-Perez and Matheo’s father, Joel Vasquez, appear to have a tumultuous relationship.
“I let him get his son two weeks ago, we got into an altercation here at the house, we ended up facing stuff,” Ortiz-Perez said.
Records show Joel Vasquez was arrested on Saturday for interference with custody. Harris County Precinct 5 constable deputies went to the home on Saturday, but at one point, Joel’s brother, Jason, got away with Matheo.
“They let Jason go inside with the baby, Jason ran out the back door, jumped the fence with my kid, left with no backpack, no sweater, nothing,” Ortiz-Perez said.
Matheo was last known to be wearing a black sweater and black pants. He is 2 feet tall and weighs 25 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.
“If you’re out there Jason, please bring my son home. I know you love him, I know you love Matheo like he’s your own Jason, I’ve seen you take care of that little boy, so why do this?” Ortiz-Perez said.
In an update Sunday, HCSO said Jason has been charged with kidnapping.
Anyone with information on where Matheo may be should contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 713-755-7427 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.