HOUSTON — A 25-year-old man who was reported missing eight years ago was never reported missing and has been living with his mother for most of that time, authorities said Thursday.
Rudy Farias made national headlines over the weekend when it was reported that he had been “safely located” at a Houston church after a years-long search.
He was reported missing to police on March 7, 2015, but returned home a day later, Houston police revealed Thursday.
Farias “was not missing for the eight-year period,” Houston police Lt. Christopher Zamora told reporters.
There had even been several times in those eight years when the cops spoke to the young man and he allegedly gave them false names.
“He made contact with patrol officers on the street. However, during those contacts, fictitious names and dates of birth were given to the deceptive officers, and Rudy would remain missing,” Zamora continued.
“In fact, both Janie (Santana), Rudy’s mother, and Rudy himself gave fictitious names while interacting with various patrol officers. After investigators spoke with him yesterday, it was discovered that he returned home on tomorrow, March 8, 2015.”
While the teenager, now an adult, was seen by many people coming and going from the home over the years, Santana identified him as a nephew and not her allegedly missing son, police said.
Rudy Farias.Texas Center for the Missing
“The mother, Janie, continued to mislead the 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, then 17, was missing all this time.
“We can’t predict motivation,” Finner said.
Local prosecutors have so far declined to file a case against either the mother or the child, police said.
Farias was found last week at a church, about 8 miles from his family’s home, according to an investigator with Texas EquuSearch, a nonprofit search and rescue service that helped search 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 youth was at home with his mother Thursday, police said.
“Rudy is safe,” Zamora said. “He’s with his mother by choice. He’s a 25-year-old man.”
When asked if Farias was a victim or a potential suspect, Chief Finner declined to say.
“The investigation is still ongoing,” Finner said, “and I’m not going to say if he’s a victim or not.”
Police on Thursday did not detail the circumstances behind the officers’ interactions with Farias and Santana over the years.
The investigation is still ongoing and Santana could still face prosecution for allegedly giving false information in a police report, officials said.
As soon as Farias’ recovery was detailed in local news, Houston resident Kisha Ross, 44, said she recognized the missing young man as her neighbor from two doors down the block.
Farias is a regular visitor to her home, Ross said, to socialize with her son, daughter and cousin.
The youngster, known as “Dolph” to his family, is close to his mother, who works at a private security firm, Ross said. Once, she even brought the Ross family’s job applications if they ever wanted to apply to work at Mom’s company.
Last week, Farias allegedly took his mother’s car and she didn’t know where it was, the neighbor said.
“He left in his car and she had no way to get to work,” Ross said. “He texted my cousin and said, ‘Have you seen my son?’ My cousin told me, “No.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Deon J. Hampton reported from Houston and David K. Li from New York City.
