A father has been reunited with his beloved son following a years-long search.
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Juan Escobar has been separated from his child ever since the mother, Miriam Felix, fled with her then 11 year-old-son in July of 2023.
Following a three-year search, Andrew Escobar was located in El Paso, TX. Juan said he was in "shock and disbelief" when he received a call on Wednesday from an El Paso police officer informing him that Miriam was caught trying to cross the border with their son.
"His mom triggered some sort of warning. Then they checked his ID, and then that's when they recognized that he was listed as a missing person. That's when they detained them both," Juan explained.
The loving father told KAOT7 that he and Andrew's stepmom, Monique Escobar, were so motivated to find him that they quit their jobs to commit more time to the search. Even after years passed, the couple's effort never waned.
Father Reconnects With Son After Three Years Apart
After three years away from his son, Juan could hardly speak when he was informed they'd be reunited.
"I mean, I was in such shock and disbelief," Juan said, per KOAT7. "He just right away is like, 'Hey, Mr. Escobar, I just want you to know we have your son.' And I mean, it took me like five, 10 seconds to process it and say, 'What? You have him?' And he's like, 'Yeah, we have your son.'"
Before his mother attempted to move them across the border, Andrew was last seen in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
Authorities informed Juan that Andrew had traveled the world since his mother fled with him, including stints in Albania, Turkey and Austria.
While Juan said that "physically" Andrew is "well," they are concerned about his "mental health."
"He's just been through so much the last three years emotionally and mentally," he added.
Andrew's mother, Miriam, is being held in an El Paso jail until she can be extradited to New Mexico. Albuquerque police said Miriam was facing multiple felony warrants after violating her custody agreement.
