BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, Texas — Hector Flores Jr. and his daughter, Luna, have been found alive and well after they went missing two weeks ago.
The two of them were found in the Mexican state of Coahuila, which is adjacent to Big Bend National Park.
"In the back of our mind we always knew there was a chance they could have made it to Mexico, but it was quite a long ways to Mexico from where their vehicle was found," said Tom VandenBerg, Public Information Officer for Big Bend National Park. "That's at least 20 miles to get across the desert to Mexico from there."
On Feb. 13, people in the area across the Rio Grande saw a man and the little girl that fit the description of Hector and Luna. They were looking for food to purchase, and soon after, Mexican State Police were able to reach them and confirm their identities.
"Police approached them and met them and were able to positively ID them as Hector Flores Jr., and his daughter Luna," said VandenBerg.
A sigh of relief for all agencies involved, which include the National Park service, the FBI and the Fort Stockton police.
"We do work very well with all of our different agencies in the area and we're willing to help them with anything, we have our services and resources," said Fort Stockton Police Chief, Robert Lujan. "It takes all of us to work together."
The two will return to their family members today after being detained by Mexican authorities.
"They are coming back to the United States today, and as appropriate we will be reunite them with their family," said VandenBerg.
An effort that happened because of law enforcement and vigilant citizens.
"I'd just like to thank everyone that participated in the search, both the searchers and the general public, there was a lot of outreach and a lot of support," said VandenBerg.
The investigation is still ongoing and we will continue to update this story as we receive more information.