The FBI is joining the search for a Houston mother of three who went missing more than a week ago, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee announced Monday.
Erica Hernandez, 40, was last seen early April 17 in southwest Houston, according to the Houston Police Department. No one has heard from her since. Her family said it would be completely out of character for Hernandez to leave her children without warning.
“She is the type of mother who would do anything she can for us,” said Briza Armenta, Hernandez’s 15-year-old daughter. She said her brothers -- 3 and 19 -- feel the same way about their mom.
Texas Equusearch has been looking for the mother everyday since she was reported missing, with many of Hernandez’s family and friends joining the efforts in the field. Officials said they are using every resource available to the organization to find her.
Houston Police Department Lt. Manny Cruz Jr. of the missing persons unit said investigators identified an area around McHard Road and Fort Bend Tollway that was searched thoroughly but produced no leads.
“We’ve exhausted that area,” he said at a Monday press conference at the George Thomas Mickey Leland Federal Building. “We need the community’s help now to broaden our search area.”
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee holds up a missing poster as she, along with law enforcement officials met with the Hernandez Family about the search for Erica Hernandez, a Houston mother of three, who has been missing for a week during a press conference at the Mickey Leland Federal Building, Monday, April 26, 2021, in Houston.
Karen Warren / Staff photographer
Friends and family of Erica Hernandez wait for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee to start a press conference with law enforcement officials and the Hernandez family about the search for Hernandez, a Houston mother of three, who has been missing for a week at the Mickey Leland Federal Building, Monday, April 26, 2021, in Houston.
Karen Warren / Staff photographer
Family friends, Nancy Balderaz, left, with Ebony Sowells, and Martina Grifaldo wait for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s press conference with law enforcement officials and the Hernandez Family about the search for Erica Hernandez, a Houston mother of three, who has been missing for a week at the Mickey Leland Federal Building, Monday, April 26, 2021, in Houston.
Karen Warren / Staff photographer
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee holds up a missing poster as she, along with law enforcement officials met with the Hernandez Family about the search for Erica Hernandez, a Houston mother of three, who has been missing for a week during a press conference at the Mickey Leland Federal Building, Monday, April 26, 2021, in Houston.
Karen Warren / Staff photographer
Briza Armenta, daughter of Erica Hernandez speaks as Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee met with law enforcement officials and the Hernandez Family about the search for Erica Hernandez, a Houston mother of three, who has been missing for a week during a press conference at the Mickey Leland Federal Building, Monday, April 26, 2021, in Houston.
Karen Warren / Staff photographerAny information on the whereabouts of the black GMC Acadia that Hernandez was last seen driving will greatly aid in the investigation, Cruz said.
Jackson Lee said the public’s help will be crucial in the investigation.
“Someone has seen something, someone knows something and someone isn’t saying anything,” she said.
Officials said any information or tip about Hernandez or her vehicle is essential to their efforts. They said they will not stop until the case is resolved.
Rafael Hernandez, Erica Hernandez’s brother, said his sister is friendly, family-oriented and responsible. She is employed at Community Health Choice verifying insurance benefits.
“Erica is someone who does not have issues with anyone,” said Yancy Balderas, Hernandez’s close friend of two decades.
Hernandez is the kind of person people go to for help, said her friend from elementary school, Ebony Sowells.
“When we were growing up, she looked out for all of us,” she said.
Rafael Hernandez said he is pleading with the community to report any information they may have.
“These children need their mother,” he said.
Hernandez has waist-length dark brown hair with highlights, a nose piercing, glasses and has a left shoulder tattoo with three koala bears, the search group said. She was wearing a teal T-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes and driving a black GMC Acadia with the Texas license plate number MKJ-3303 and a window decal that said “Aggie Mom.”
Anyone with information about Hernandez should call the Houston Police Department at (832) 394-1840 or call Texas EquuSearch at (281) 309-9500.
hannah.dellinger@chron.com
A GoFundMe page has been organized to raise money for search efforts.
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FBI to aid in search of missing Houston mother Erica Hernandez - Houston Chronicle
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