Marcus Tessier.Photo:New Mexico State Police

Missing 13-Year-Old Boy Marcus Tessier with Autism Found Over 200 Miles Away from Arizona Home

New Mexico State Police

A 13-year-old with autism was found safe in New Mexico on Tuesday after disappearing from his Arizona home — and his family has no idea how he got there.

Marcus Tessier was last seen at his southern Arizona home around 4 a.m. on Tuesday,according to New Mexico State Police.

In hopes of identifying the boy, the New Mexico State Police posted a picture of him on social media — and within “seven minutes,” someone recognized him, police said.

Numerous agencies including the Deming Police Department, Missing Persons Clearinghouse, the state police and the Tucson police worked to reunite Tessier with his family.

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Desmond told the news station that Marcus “took off walking” early Tuesday morning.

“When I couldn’t find him, I realized that he went out,” she said. “I was looking in the backyard, and I couldn’t find him. So, I went to my security camera, and I was trying to find footage to see which direction he went.”

After alerting local authorities, bloodhounds were called in to pick up his scent, which led them to train tracks before a dead end.

Marcus’ aunt, Helene Desmond, said they don’t know how he ended up so far away from home.

But family members are grateful to be reunited with Marcus, less than 48 hours after he went missing. “We’re so lucky and blessed that he came back to us, given the circumstances and the odds,” his mom said.

source: people.com