HOUSTON — On a busy road in east Houston is where Mauricio Reyes, 16, was lost for days.
"Solo vivía debajo de un puente," Mauricio said.
Mauricio, who has a mental disability, said he was living under a bridge on Federal Road. He relied on the kindness of workers at a nearby tire shop to stay alive.
"Tengo sed, y hambre," said Jose Madrid, the tire shop owner. "Yo le pido una hamburgesa. Se la comio. Se quedo conmigo platicando."
Jose Madrid said Mauricio came around looking for food and water one day. He bought him a burger, but curious, he asked him why he was on the streets.
"Le quebré un vitdrio y tego miedo que me pegue," Madrid said Mauricio told him.
Madrid said Mauricio was scared because he'd broken a window on his dad's work van, so he ran off.
The workers at the tire shop eventually began to see Mauricio every day. They would all feed him and even give him clothes and shoes to keep him warm.
Mauricio didn't know his phone number or address so Madrid and his staff couldn't take him home. They told Mauricio to go back home to his dad but he stayed on the streets.
After seeing Mauricio's face on the news, Madrid said he called the police and on Saturday, police picked Mauricio up and reunited him with his father.
"Muchísimas gracias por todo lo que hicieron por encontrar a mi hijo," Mauricio's dad Jose Reyes said.
Jose said he's grateful for everyone who helped his son and he's looking for help to give Mauricio more assistance with his mental health needs.
Mauricio said he's happy to be back home with his dad.