WYOMING, Mich — A Michigan mother and her baby were found about 1,500 miles from home after being reported missing a few days earlier.
The mother, identified as Vanessa, and her baby were initially reported missing to the Wyoming Police Department (WPD) on July 3, the Webb County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) said in a Facebook post.
Just a few days after going missing, Vanessa and her child were found walking barefoot on a ranch near Laredo, Texas on Saturday, July 6, the U.S. Border Patrol said.
“On July 6, at approximately 4:42 p.m., Border Patrol agents assigned to the Laredo North Station responded to a call about a woman walking with an infant in hand. At approximately 4:55 p.m., agents arrived on the scene and requested EMS due to the nature and condition of the woman and infant. It was later revealed the woman was a reported missing person from Michigan,” a spokesperson from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection told 13 ON YOUR SIDE.
Border Patrol agents handed the mother and child over to the WCSO where she was taken by a deputy to a local hospital for medical evaluation.
WCSO said that Vanessa told them that she was traveling to South Padre Island when she ran out of gas.
“I thank the United States Border Patrol for their quick response, and I commend my deputies for their efforts in coordinating with the woman's family to ensure her and her baby's safety. Let this serve as a reminder to everyone to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity by calling (956) 415-BUST (2878),” said Sheriff Martin Cuellar.
Vanessa's family made the initial report to WPD that she was missing on July 3, but said that Vanessa had left with her baby and her dog voluntarily to visit family on June 29, a spokesperson for WPD told 13 ON YOUR SIDE.
WPD said they opened a missing person case but determined there were no indications that Vanessa or her baby were in danger or that a crime had been committed.
"She was entered into law enforcement databases as a missing person. Detectives had ongoing communication with her family members in an effort to determine where she and the child were and what her intentions were. Detectives and CPS also followed up with law enforcement from out of state in an effort to locate the female and her child," Lieutenant Andrew Koeller told 13 ON YOUR SIDE.
WPD said that after Vanessa and her baby were located by U.S. Border Patrol agents. Her dog was also found nearby.
The mother and her baby were returned to Wyoming, Michigan by their family, WCSO said.
WPD said that there could be a follow up from Child Protective Services.
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