Mauricio Reyes, a 16-year-old with a mental disability, found himself living under a bridge in east Houston after running away from home. His story of survival and the kindness of strangers has touched the hearts of many in the community.
Mauricio shared that he had broken a window on his dad’s work van, which led him to run away in fear of being punished. Living under a bridge on Federal Road, he relied on the generosity of workers at a nearby tire shop for food and water. Jose Madrid, the tire shop owner, shared that Mauricio would come by every day looking for essentials to survive.
Despite not knowing Mauricio’s phone number or address, Madrid and his staff made sure to provide him with food, clothes, and shoes to keep him warm. They urged Mauricio to return home to his father, but he chose to stay on the streets.
After Mauricio’s face appeared on the news as a missing teen, Madrid contacted the police, leading to Mauricio’s reunion with his father. Jose Reyes, Mauricio’s dad, expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in finding his son. He now seeks assistance to provide Mauricio with the mental health support he needs.
Mauricio, back home with his father, expressed his happiness to be reunited with his family. This heartwarming story serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and community support in times of need.