News Summary
Authorities are actively searching for 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez, who has been missing since early Thursday morning. Bryan, who has special needs and is nonverbal, was last seen in the Village de L’Est neighborhood wearing an adult diaper and without his seizure medication. Search teams are conducting rescue operations in the Michoud area, and the family remains hopeful for his safe return. Community members are urged to assist in the search.
New Orleans – A search continues for 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez, who has been missing since early Thursday morning, August 14, 2025. Bryan was last seen in the Village de L’Est neighborhood, prompting a widespread and urgent response from local authorities and volunteers.
Bryan, who has special needs, is nonverbal and was without his seizure medication when he disappeared. Doorbell camera footage captured him around 5:30 a.m. wearing only an adult diaper, and authorities now fear he may be unclothed. As concerns about his safety mount, search teams, including cadaver dogs, are actively canvassing the Michoud area, going door-to-door and checking nearby waterways for any sign of the missing boy.
The current search is classified as a rescue mission, although worries regarding Bryan’s condition are growing. His family, alongside community volunteers, remains hopeful for his safe return. Bryan is described as approximately 5’1″ tall and weighing between 86 to 100 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. He responds to the name “Bryan V,” and due to his communication challenges, interacts by banging on objects or using gestures.
In an effort to broaden the search, the Cajun Navy has joined the operation, providing thermal drones to scan difficult-to-access locations. Neighbors and multiple law enforcement agencies, including state and federal authorities, are also directly involved in the search. Community members are urged to inspect backyards and sheds, as well as review surveillance footage from the time of Bryan’s disappearance.
Bryan’s family has lived in the Village de L’Est area for 15 years and recently moved to a new home where an alarm system had not yet been set up. It is reported that Bryan managed to escape through a window in his bedroom at the time of his disappearance. His mother remains steadfast in her belief that he is still alive, urging anyone with possible information, including those who may have taken him, to return him safely.
The New Orleans Police Department has escalated the investigation by involving its Special Victims Division. Anyone with information regarding Bryan’s whereabouts is strongly encouraged to contact the New Orleans Police Department or call 911 immediately.
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Additional Resources
- WWLTV: Search continues for missing 12-year-old in New Orleans
- Wikipedia: Missing person
- WDSU: New Orleans nonverbal child missing
- Google Search: missing 12 year old New Orleans
- FOX8: Missing 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez
- Google Scholar: missing children search
- Nola.com: Bryan Vasquez missing boy
- Encyclopedia Britannica: missing persons
- WAFB: Search continues for missing nonverbal boy
- Google News: New Orleans news
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.
