News Summary
The search for 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez, who is nonverbal and has autism, continues in New Orleans after he went missing. He left his home early in the morning and was last seen on security footage nearby. Family and friends have criticized the police’s delayed response and are calling for an alert system for missing children with autism. Community efforts are underway to locate Bryan as search teams, including volunteers and law enforcement, intensify their search. His physical description has been shared, and authorities urge anyone with information to come forward.
New Orleans – The search for 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez, who has been missing since Thursday, August 14, has officially entered its sixth day. Bryan, who is nonverbal and has autism, left his home alone around 5:20 a.m. and has not been seen since.
Security footage captured Bryan walking approximately a block from his home shortly after he left. Just eight minutes later, he was seen on a Ring video near a residence on Toulon Street. A third sighting occurred around 6:30 a.m., about five blocks away near a canal. His mother, Hilda Vasquez, reported him missing around 10 a.m. after realizing he had not returned home.
Despite a 911 call regarding Bryan’s case being received at 10:20 a.m., police did not respond until 3:05 p.m., a delay of nearly five hours. This response time has drawn criticism from family and friends, who are urging for the issuance of an AMBER Alert. However, the Louisiana State Police have noted that AMBER Alerts require specific criteria to be met, including confirmation of an abduction.
Friends and family have called attention to the need for an alert system specifically targeting missing children with autism, highlighting the unique challenges such children may face in navigating an emergency situation without support.
Ongoing Search Efforts
As the search continues, crews from the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board are actively draining a canal located near the last sighting of Bryan. The New Orleans Police Department’s Special Victims Division is now leading the investigation into the case. Bloodhounds and a cadaver dog were assigned to assist in the search from the outset.
Authorities have issued a Level II endangered/missing child advisory through the Louisiana State Police. Residents in the area have been asked to check their backyards and review any home security camera footage that might have recorded Bryan on the morning he went missing.
Physical Description and Current Condition
Bryan is described as approximately 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighing between 86 and 100 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. At the time he went missing, he was wearing only an adult diaper. Authorities express concern that Bryan may currently be unclothed due to the ongoing search duration and his medical conditions.
Community Involvement
Various volunteer organizations, including the United Cajun Navy, are participating in the search effort using thermal drones and diving teams. Additional volunteers are encouraged to join in by printing and distributing flyers bearing Bryan’s information, to enhance community awareness.
Officials have consistently emphasized that the search remains a rescue mission rather than a recovery operation, although growing concerns about Bryan’s condition due to his medical needs have been expressed over the past several days.
How to Help
Anyone with information regarding Bryan Vasquez’s whereabouts is encouraged to call 911 or contact the New Orleans Police Department at 504-821-2222. The community’s cooperation is vital as search efforts persist in hopes of bringing Bryan home safely.
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Additional Resources
- WDSU: Missing Child in New Orleans
- Wikipedia: Missing Person
- WWLTV: Family Calls for Action
- Google Search: Missing Children Autism
- NOLA: Missing Boy Search
- Google Scholar: Missing Children Autism
- FOX 8: Missing 12-Year-Old
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Search for Missing Persons
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
