A 25-year-old man who allegedly disappeared eight years ago was never really missing and has been living with his mother almost the whole time, authorities in the US said.
Rudy Farias made international headlines over the weekend when it was reported he had been “located safe” at a church in Houston.
He was reported missing to police on March 7, 2015 — but Houston police have now revealed he came home one day later.
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Farias “was not missing during the eight-year period,” Houston police lieutenant Christopher Zamora said on Thursday local time.
Farias had even spoken to police multiple times over the eight years and allegedly gave them fake names.
“He made contact with patrol officers out on the street. However, during these contacts, fictitious names and dates of birth were given, misleading officers, and Rudy would remain missing,” Zamora said.
“In fact, both Janie (Santana), Rudy’s mother, and Rudy himself gave fictitious names while interacting with various patrol officers.
“After investigators talked with him yesterday, it was discovered he returned home the following day — on March 8, 2015.”
While the teen, now an adult, was seen by many people coming and going from the house over the years, Santana identified him as a nephew and not her allegedly missing son, police said.
“The mother, Janie, continued to deceive police by remaining adamant that Rudy was still missing,” Zamora said.
Chief Troy Finner said he doesn’t know why Farias’ mother allegedly maintained her son was missing.
“We can’t predict motivation,” Finner said.
Local prosecutors have, so far, declined to open a case against the mother or the son, police said.
Farias was found last week at a church about 12km from his family’s home, according to an investigator with Texas EquuSearch, a non-profit search-and-rescue service that helped look for Farias.
He was non-verbal and unable to communicate, his mother said in a statement, adding that a good Samaritan discovered him and immediately called authorities.
The young man was at home with his mother on Thursday, police said.
“Rudy is safe,” Zamora said. “He is with his mother by choice. He’s a 25-year-old man.”
When asked if Farias was a victim or a potential suspect, Finner declined to say.
“The investigation is still going on and I’m not going to say if he’s a victim or not,” he said.
While no charges have yet been laid, officials said Santana might still be prosecuted for allegedly giving false information in a police report.
As soon as Farias’ recovery was reported, Houston resident Kisha Ross, 44, said she recognised the young man being identified as a missing person as her neighbour from two doors away.
She said Farias is a regular visitor to her house to socialise with her son, daughter and cousin.
She said the young man, known as “Dolph” to her family, is close to his mother, who works in a private security firm.
He once even brought Ross’ family job applications if they ever wanted to apply to work at the mother’s company.
Last week, Farias allegedly took his mother’s car and she didn’t know where he was, the neighbour said.
“He left in her car and she didn’t have a way to get to work,” Ross said. “She texted my cousin and said, ‘Have you seen my son?’ My cousin was like, ‘No’.”
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