‘I just want to find him’: Search for missing Waco 16-year-old continues

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - Five days after he left home, Avery McGarry’s mother is continuing to seek the public’s help to find her son once again in Waco.

Tatiana McGarry said her son went missing from their apartment on the 1800 block of 5th street near Baylor’s campus Nov. 6 around 3:20 p.m.

“I love my son more than anything, and I just want to find him,” McGarry said. “I just want to find him.”

Avery has autism and might be in a state of confused thinking, according to his mother. The 16-year-old has a history of elopement. He went missing for five and a half days on Oct. 15 as well.

“He seemed to think this was some sort of survival adventure, and he is probably approaching it in the same way,” said McGarry.

McGarry said he left with a faded green canvas tote bag, grey hoodie, and grey plaid jacket. However, she said he bought and changed into new clothing during his last disappearance and may do the same.

She said that one of the consequences of autism is that Avery is not as likely to respond to things like hunger, thirst or cold as a neurotypical person.

“He might be largely unaffected by the hardship until it really hits him,” she said. “And that’s my fear.”

McGarry said he brought two water bottles with him and will likely stop at local gas stations or restaurants to refill them.

She said they are from Alaska, so Avery may be drawn to wooded areas. During his October disappearance, he was found 8 miles away near railroad tracks along Central Texas Parkway. Waco PD searched that area this afternoon, but said they have yet to receive any tips of his whereabouts.

Waco PD is handling the investigation. Anyone with information is advised to call 911.