ELLIS COUNTY, Texas — Ellis County officials are searching for 21-year-old Jose Amador, who is considered missing and endangered, officials said.
Amador has been missing since November 25 in the 200 Block of Spring Circle, according to a release from the Ellis County Sheriff's Office. "The father woke up thinking that he was in his room, and he went to go knock on his door and realized that he was gone," said Emilio Lechuga, a close family friend. He spoke on behalf of Amador's stepfather, Gustavo Aburto.
“It's been too many days. It's been a lot of false reports," said Lechuga.
The family said Amador left a note for his family indicating he was going to Mexico. He does not drive and could be on foot or have received a ride, officials said. “The thing is he hasn't been in Mexico for years since he was a child. So that's why we don't understand what led to that," said Lechuga.
WFAA met Aburto and Lechuga as they searched areas near Red Oak. Aburto also shared video from a neighbor's home camera that spotted Amador walking away from his home on Spring Circle, Monday night, wearing what appears to be a reflective jacket and a small bag.
Amador has the mental capacity of a 10-year-old but has never officially been diagnosed with a disability, the release states. "He still needs his parents. He has the needs to where he's always going to be needing the need of someone to take care of him," said Lechuga.
Amador's family also told WFAA that he is shy. "You really got to kind of like talk to him...His personality, he's outgoing. He's gentle. He's like a gentle giant, but at the same time, that gentle giant has feelings," said Lechuga.
Amador is described as 5'8 and weighs 140 pounds with a buzz-style haircut, the release states. He was last seen wearing a gray hoodie, light blue pants and black Adidas shoes. He has scars above his right eye and in the center of his forehead, the release states. Family members said it is also possible that Amador might have changed clothes since he left with a small bag.
They have expanded their search to include areas such as Oak Cliff. Amador has relatives there too.
Ellis County Sheriff's said there has been no new information at this time. Red Oak Police also told WFAA they are on the lookout for Amador as well.
"If anybody out there could just see this, the flyers, see that, that we haven't stopped. His father hasn't stopped, hasn't slept. I'm sorry...We just need him home. We just need him home," said Lechuga.
Anyone with information regarding Amador's whereabouts is asked to call Ellis County Sheriff's Office Communications Division at (972) 937-6060.