RIO RANCHO, NM – A New Mexico teenager who vanished three years ago during a bitter custody dispute has been safely reunited with his father after a surprise border crossing triggered a federal alert.
The Disappearance and Search
Andrew Escobar was just 11 years old when he disappeared from Rio Rancho in July 2023. His father, Juan Escobar, and stepmother, Monique Escobar, went to extreme lengths to find him, even quitting their jobs to pursue leads full-time.
Despite the involvement of multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Marshals, the case remained cold until Wednesday, July 1, when a sudden phone call left Juan in complete shock.
Border Crossing Triggers Federal Alert
Authorities state that Andrew’s biological mother, Miriam Felix, took the boy in 2023 and traveled extensively to evade law enforcement.
The breakthrough came when Felix attempted to cross the border from Mexico back into the United States. She unknowingly triggered a federal warning system indicating she was traveling with a missing juvenile. Customs and Border Protection officers immediately detained both of them.
Felix is currently being held in an El Paso jail, where she is awaiting extradition back to New Mexico to face charges.
An International Ordeal
Now 14 years old, Andrew revealed to authorities that his mother took him across multiple continents during his time missing. Investigators found passport stamps indicating they traveled through several countries, including:
- Austria
- Albania
- Turkey
- Amsterdam (Netherlands)
The Road to Recovery
While Andrew is reported to be physically well, his family is deeply concerned about his emotional and mental well-being after three years on the run.
Darlene Gomez, an attorney representing the family, stated that the immediate focus is giving Andrew the time, space, and professional support he needs to recover from the ordeal and re-adjust to his life in New Mexico.
