News Summary
Bryan Vasquez, a 12-year-old boy with special needs, has been missing for 10 days in New Orleans East. His family is deeply concerned as he is nonverbal and unable to communicate. A police investigation is underway, and community members have joined search efforts, appealing for public assistance. Crimestoppers is offering a reward for information that may lead to his safe return, while frustrations have arisen regarding the police response time to his initial disappearance.
New Orleans – A 12-year-old boy named Bryan Vasquez has been missing for 10 days after he was last seen in New Orleans East on August 14. The ongoing search for Bryan remains active, with local law enforcement and community volunteers working tirelessly to locate him.
Bryan was reported missing by his family after he climbed out of his bedroom window early in the morning, around 5 a.m. Although he was captured on neighborhood Ring cameras between 5 and 6:30 a.m., he has not been seen since that time. His family is deeply worried, particularly because Bryan is nonverbal and suffers from a neurodevelopmental condition that prevents him from understanding English or Spanish.
He was last spotted in the Michoud area and is believed to be traveling on foot. Authorities describe Bryan as a Hispanic male, approximately 5’1” in height and weighing between 86-100 lbs. He has brown eyes and black hair, and he was last seen wearing an adult diaper. His family is urging the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings or information regarding his whereabouts.
To incentivize tips, Crimestoppers has announced a $1,250 reward for information leading to Bryan’s safe return. Local and federal law enforcement agencies have joined the effort to locate him, while family and community members have also stepped up, conducting their own searches in the surrounding areas.
Frustration with the handling of the case has surfaced within the family and their friends, especially regarding the police response time. An investigation has been initiated by New Orleans Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick due to a five-hour delay in the police response. The initial 911 call about Bryan’s disappearance was made at 10 a.m., but police did not dispatch until 3 p.m., raising concerns about the urgency of their response to missing child cases.
Despite the challenges, Bryan’s family remains hopeful and committed to finding him. They believe he is still alive and urgently need to locate him so he can receive his necessary medications. While authorities have issued a Level Two Endangered Missing Child Advisory, an Amber Alert was not issued due to specific criteria not being met, adding to the family’s concern about the visibility of Bryan’s situation.
In a show of solidarity, community members have come together to assist in the search efforts, spreading awareness throughout New Orleans and beyond. They are encouraging anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111; all tips can be submitted anonymously. The hope is that someone may hold crucial information that could lead to Bryan’s safe recovery, reflecting the collective desire to bring him home.
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Additional Resources
- WWLTV: Search for 12-Year-Old Bryan Vasquez Reaches 10 Days
- NOLA: As Volunteers Scour New Orleans East for Missing Boy
- FOX 8 Live: Search for Missing 12-Year-Old Bryan Vasquez Narrows
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Missing Children
- WDSU: New Orleans Missing Boy NOPD Response Investigation
- Google Search: Missing Children New Orleans
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.
