HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Holland Police are attempting to locate Juan Emerson Garcia-Yax, 16, and his sister, Emelyn Garcia-Yax, 8. Both children were reported as having run away from their foster home on East 25th Street. in Holland.
The children originally from Guatemala, entered the U.S in March as unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in the U.S. The legal process, started for them through the Office of Refugee Resettlement, and they were placed into the Holland foster home.
Overnight Sunday into Monday, May 31-June 2, 2020, the children left their foster home. Juan left a note for the foster parents expressing gratitude for everything they had done for them, adding they needed to leave to take care of “personal matters,” according to Holland Police Capt. Bob Buursma.
The foster family reported no missing vehicles. Bus companies and Amtrak officials contacted by police reported either routes not currently operational or no passengers matching the children’s description.
The children’s one known relative in the U.S lives in the State of New York, but that relative reports hearing nothing from the children.
It’s unclear where the children may be headed or their mode of transportation.
The children have been entered into the national missing person database. Investigators have also been in contact with the Center for Missing and Exploited Children as well as the FBI
Police describe Juan as a Hispanic male, about 5-foot-1 tall, weighing about 110 pounds. He has shorter, straight black hair, brown eyes and a very dark complexion.
Emelyn, an Hispanic female, stands about 4-foot-6, weighing about 90 pounds. She has long, straight black hair, brown eyes with a dark complexion.
Anyone who has seen or comes in contact with the children is asked to contact Holland Department of Public Safety at (616) 355-1150; email policetips@cityofholland.com
Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact Silent Observer by calling (877) 887-4536, texting OCMTIP and your message to 274637 or go online and submit a tip using the online form at mosotips.com.
