According to New Mexico State Police, a teenager with autism who had gone missing has been located in New Mexico, approximately 200 miles from his residence in the southern region of Arizona.

A 13-year-old boy, who had disappeared from his family’s residence in Tucson the previous night, was found at a Walmart in Deming on Tuesday.

New Mexico State Police report the teenager was identified within a few minutes after someone noticed him in a previous post shared by the Tucson Police Department. The police department confirmed that the teenager had been reunited with his family and was safely returned to his residence on Wednesday.

In a post on social media, the New Mexico State Police expressed gratitude to all those who aided in making this achievement possible through sharing, commenting, and spreading the message.

The family took to social media to express their appreciation for both the police and the community. The teenager’s journey to Deming remains a mystery to them.

According to the boy’s brother, Mikel Desmond, their mother discovered that he had left the house when she woke up. The front door was found to be unlocked, and he was nowhere to be found.

After contacting the police and searching the surrounding areas, the family created a flyer for their missing family member and shared it online. Despite their efforts, Desmond grew increasingly doubtful of finding his brother as time passed. He explained that even if someone had given his brother a phone and instructed him to call home, he would not have been able to as he struggles with verbal communication.

On a Tuesday evening, the family received a call from officials in New Mexico, following the boy’s examination at a nearby medical facility.

According to Desmond, his sibling ended up at Walmart, where he attempted to purchase food and beverages but lacked the funds to do so. Afterwards, the teen allegedly sought refuge in the restroom and was subsequently discovered by authorities.

According to Desmond, he and his mother drove to New Mexico upon receiving the call, making a six-hour round trip to pick up the boy and bring him back home.

According to the Tucson police, an investigation is underway regarding the movements of the boy.