Missing Autistic Teen Found Safe in Houston
Jermael Jones, 13, who has autism, was reunited with his family Thursday after going missing in northeast Houston.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Pre-Teens
Jermael Jones, a 13-year-old with autism, was reported missing after he was last seen Monday night in northeast Houston. He was found safe Thursday and reunited with his family.
Why it matters
The case prompted an endangered persons alert from the Texas Center for the Missing, a Houston-based nonprofit, highlighting the risks faced by children with autism who go missing. Jermael had no phone or social media, which made tracking his whereabouts more difficult.
Jermael Jones, age 13, was missing from Monday night until he was found safe Thursday. He has autism and no phone or social media, and the Texas Center for the Missing issued an endangered persons alert.
The players
Texas Center for the Missing
A Houston-based nonprofit that issues endangered persons alerts to help locate missing individuals.
Ross Sterling Middle School
A Houston-area middle school that Jermael previously attended and was seeking when he was spotted Monday.
The details
Jermael went missing from the home he shares with his parents, and his mother was the last person to see him. He was spotted Monday trying to get directions to Ross Sterling Middle School, which he previously attended.
Timeline
Monday night: Jermael Jones was last seen in northeast Houston.
Thursday: Jermael Jones was found safe and reunited with his family.
Real-World Impact
Families of children with autism in Houston can use nonprofit endangered persons alerts as a resource when a child goes missing. Keeping recent photos and a description of a child's routines on hand may speed up any search.
Parents of children with autism may want to plan ahead for wandering, since a child who cannot be reached by phone can be hard to find. Discussing familiar destinations and keeping identification on the child can help responders act quickly.
The takeaway
A quick response from a local nonprofit and family can make a critical difference when a child with autism goes missing. Families should keep recent photos and clear information about a child's routines ready in case of an emergency.
Further reading
For more on raising kids at this age, see our Pre-Teens coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Houston Chronicle.
