It has been over a week since a nonverbal 12-year-old boy went missing in New Orleans.
New Orleans Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick spoke more on the investigation into the NOPD response to the initial call reporting the boy missing.
According to Kirkpatrick, she called for an investigation into the response time after records showed there was a five-hour delay between the initial call and an officer dispatching to the report.
Kirkpatrick said the focus is currently on finding Bryan Vasquez, who is nonverbal and has been missing from his home on Aug. 14.
Results of the investigation will be released once it is completed, according to Kirkpatrick.
The New Orleans Police Department and Crimestoppers held a news conference Friday asking the community to come forward with any information that might help them find Vasquez.
A reward of $1,250 has been offered for information in the case.
Vasquez went missing around 5 a.m. Aug. 14.
New documents show that the New Orleans Police Department did not respond to the call reporting him missing until five hours after the 911 call.
According to the NOPD calls for service, the initial call regarding Vasquez was made around 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14.
The NOPD did not respond until 3 p.m. that day, which is five hours after the first 911 call.
A family spokesperson for the Vasquez family was critical of the response from the NOPD.
“He is alive; we believe it, we have faith,” Cristine Rosales Fajardo said. “We need to find him. We need to be turning over every garbage can, the grass is overgrown in this area. … We need every light turned on.”
They are praying Bryan Vasquez will be found safe after he mysteriously disappeared six days ago.
“We need everyone to know about this case. It is possibly a kidnapping,” Fajardo said.
His family says Bryan Vasquez has autism, and last Thursday, he left through his bedroom window around 5 a.m.
Just blocks away from his home and less than an hour later, Bryan Vasquez was spotted on surveillance video only wearing an adult diaper, but there has been no sign of him since.
“We know he walked out, we see it on video, but we don’t know what happened afterwards,” Fajardo said.
The community is joining forces with his family, searching for the young boy alongside the police.
“He was, like, very close to us. We love him so much, and we need to find him because he needs to take his medications,” Brianna Vasquez said.
Bryan Vasquez’s younger sister, Brianna Vasquez, pleaded to the public for help in finding her brother.
“He’s an amazing brother ever since I met him. We miss him a lot, and ever since he disappeared, nothing was the same without him,” Brianna Vasquez said.
Law enforcement in the air, on the ground and in the water across New Orleans East are searching, while Bryan Vasquez’s family says they are not giving up.
“We’re not going to stop,” Fajardo said.
The NOPD issued the following statement regarding the family’s news conference:
“The New Orleans Police Department, led by our Special Victims Division, is working around the clock with the Louisiana State Police, U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and multiple parish partners to locate 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez. This remains an open and active investigation, and our absolute priority is bringing Bryan Vasquez home safely.
“We understand the family’s anguish and are reviewing all aspects of the response internally. At this time, however, our focus is squarely on locating Bryan Vasquez, and we continue to urge anyone with information to immediately call 911.”
The NOPD provided the following statement Thursday regarding the search:
“The New Orleans Police Department continues to work alongside multiple partners in the effort to locate 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez. Today’s coordinated search efforts involve the Louisiana State Police, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, and numerous other agencies, community groups, and local organizations.
“While Bryan has not yet been located, the combined commitment of law enforcement and the community remains strong. Detectives continue to canvass neighborhoods, pursue investigative leads, and deploy specialized resources to support the search.
“We are urging residents to remain engaged — review security camera footage, check outdoor areas and spaces where a child may hide, and immediately report any possible sightings.
“Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or contact the NOPD Special Victims Division at 504-821-2222.”
The NOPD also asked that the following message be shared for the Spanish-speaking community:
“ACTUALIZACIÓN: Continúa la búsqueda del niño desaparecido de 12 años, Bryan Vásquez
“El Departamento de Policía de Nueva Orleans continúa trabajando en coordinación con múltiples agencias para localizar a Bryan Vásquez, de 12 años.
“También, la búsqueda incluye la participación de organizaciones locales y grupos comunitarios.
“Aunque Bryan aún no ha sido localizado, el compromiso conjunto de las autoridades y de la comunidad permanece firme. Los detectives continúan recorriendo vecindarios, siguiendo pistas y utilizando recursos especializados para apoyar la búsqueda.
“Se solicita a los residentes que permanezcan atentos: revisen las grabaciones de sus cámaras de seguridad, inspeccionen sus patios, terrenos y cualquier lugar donde un niño pudiera esconderse, e informen de inmediato sobre cualquier posible avistamiento.
“Quienes tengan información pueden llamar al 911, comunicarse con la División de Víctimas Especiales del NOPD al 504-658-6267, o con Crimestoppers al 504-822-1111. Por favor, sepan que pueden proporcionar información de manera anónima.”
READ MORE:Crimestoppers offering reward for information in case of missing nonverbal boy
