Police Provide a Glimpse into a Missing Person Case

Montgomery County Police recently handled a missing person case involving a Gaithersburg resident who went missing one day in October. Alvaro Cervantes left his home to walk to his bank to deposit coins. When he did not return home as expected, his mother contacted the police and they began a missing person search. Cervantes was located safe and unharmed.

Cervantes is an adult with Autism and additional special needs. He became lost on his trip to the bank and continued walking for hours. The police are releasing the following account to illustrate one of the various circumstances of a missing person case. The police want the public to know they are “committed to working with families to help avoid these scenarios and to assist in times of need.”

https://www.facebook.com/mcpnews/photos/a.182612658482958.43706.181109288633295/1493387907405420/?type=3&theater

Montgomery County’s Autism and Intellectual Developmental Disabilities Outreach Officer Laurie Reyes’ account of the Alvaro Cervantes missing person case:

“A few weeks back a young man who has Autism, who is navigating this sometimes unforgiving world, went to a bank around 2 pm to deposit some coins in Gaithersburg. He became lost on his journey. He walked and walked for hours and hours, lost. At 3 am he walked into the Germantown Police Station to let them know he was lost. It makes me sad that Alvaro was out in the cold so long. I am glad that he finally walked into the police station. Many officers were looking for him. I met with Alvaro today and told him he never has to be lost again, call us and tell us if he is lost. Flag us down and tell an officer. I had mom get him an ID bracelet with his information to show officers if he becomes lost. This episode should not dissuade Alvaro from going out to take coins to the bank or for any other adventure or task he wants to take on. He just needs to know we, the police, can be a source of support.

This is why events like Spectacular Kids Night Out (Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/282867012223832/) is so important. Events like Spectacular Kids Night Out let us show families, the community, and the individuals that they are not alone. An amazing family, Ryan Goldman and NaToya Golden Goldman, came to me awhile back with this idea for an event for families of those who care for loved ones with special needs to have an evening out with no judgment or stares. We decided to make sure the families enjoyed the evening with the officers. The goal of an evening like this is to let families and those who have Autism/IDD know that we are on this journey too. Come on out and enjoy some pizza and fun. I’ll be inviting my new friend – he is such a great person.”

Spectacular Kids Night Out takes place Thursday, Dec. 7 from 5 to 9 p.m. at 12111 Rockville Pike, Rockville. Learn more at the Facebook event.

Find more information about the Autism and Alzheimer’s Outreach Program on the MCP website.

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