Missing Teen with Autism Found at New Mexico Walmart, About 200 Miles from Arizona Home

Marcus Tessier, 13, was found safe in a New Mexico Walmart, but his family members don't know how he got there

• A 13-year-old boy disappeared from his Arizona home and was found about 200 miles away in New Mexico

• After posting Marcus' picture on social media, someone in Arizona recognized him from a Tucson Police Department post

• “We’re so lucky and blessed that he came back to us, given the circumstances and the odds,” his mom said

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.

The teen was found by police late Tuesday at a Walmart in Deming, N.M., about 200 miles from Tucson. He was found hiding in a bathroom after he tried to buy food without any money, his brother told local outlet KRQE.

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.

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

Mother Renee Desmond was alerted that her son had been found, and drove three hours to New Mexico to be reunited with him, CBS affiliate KOLD-TV reported.

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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.

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

“There is a possibility that he hopped on a train,” she told KOLD-TV.

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.

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