Fort Hood officials make contact with missing soldier, arrange for return to post

FORT HOOD, Texas (KWTX) - Fort Hood officials are in contact with Spc. Abram Salas II, who was the focus of a search that started after he disappeared almost a week ago and they are arranging for his return to post.

Salas “confirmed he is safe and residing with relatives in the San Antonio area,” Fort Hood said in a press release late Tuesday morning.

“Our number one priority remains getting Spc. Salas back to Fort Hood. We will not stop until we know he is back safely,” said Col. Chad R. Foster, commander of U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Hood.

Salas, 21, got married just days before he disappeared, and family members said they believed the marriage and the disappearance were connected.

“He got married and everybody found out about it on social media, and no one knew about this person before,” said Teresa Kiphen, the soldier’s aunt.

Salas’ parents left Fort Hood Tuesday morning to return to their home in El Paso.

“We met with our son’s leadership and Fort Hood law enforcement officials yesterday on base. After listening to everyone and getting our questions answered, we are confident that Fort Hood is doing everything they can to bring our son home,” said Abram Salas Sr., Salas’ father.

“We just want AJ to know we love him,” said Lorena Salas, Salas’ mother.

“We just want him to come back home safe.”

The search for the soldier started on June 23 after Salas failed to report for duty.

Fort Hood announced the disappearance and search on Saturday.

“The absence is out of character for him and has us concerned,” Foster said.

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