Sydney Marquez spotted in Jersey Village weeks after disappearance in Houston
Search underway for missing woman in Houston
A desperate search is underway for a missing 24-year-old woman in Houston who's been missing for a week. FOX 26's Jillian Hartmann has more.
HOUSTON - Jersey Village police confirm they have made contact with 24-year-old Sydney Marquez, who was missing for weeks in Houston.
Sydney Marquez in Jersey Village
What they're saying:
FIEL, a civil rights organization, shared a statement from her family on Friday, saying police did make contact with Marquez but could not take her into custody. Her family is still asking anyone who has seen her to call police or reach out on social media.
According to the statement, Marquez was last seen around 1 a.m. Friday near Jones Road and SH 290. She was wearing a blue sweatshirt, blue sweatpants and a black backpack.
Sydney Marquez (Photo courtesy of Texas EquuSearch)
Jersey Village police response
The other side:
In a statement, Jersey Village PD said they were called at about 1 a.m. Friday by someone saying they saw a female matching Sydney Marquez's description.
Officers identified Marquez after finding her on Seattle Street.
An officer then called the Houston PD detective on Marquez's case, then they allegedly called her father. They said the father advised that Marquez has a history of mental health challenges.
According to Jersey Village PD, Marquez requested to be released. Officers determined that Marquez wasn't a danger to herself or others, she didn't "appear to be in crisis," and police said the legal criteria for an Emergency Dention Order weren't met.
Police also said medics evaluated Marquez and found "no visible signs of trauma and no immediate need for further medical attention."
Officers allegedly offered to help Marquez, including providing a hotel and food, but she declined.
She was last seen going west along Highway 290 near Senate Avenue.
Police said they met with Marquez's family, and they've requested that law enforcement be called if Marquez is seen again.
Officers do not believe any criminal activity was involved in this incident.
Family searching for woman missing in Houston: 'It's been a nightmare'
Sydney Marquez, a Texas A&M graduate from El Paso, disappeared while visiting friends in the area, leaving her family pleading for answers, and hoping for a Christmas miracle.
Woman reported missing in Houston
The backstory:
Marquez, a former Texas A&M student from El Paso, disappeared while visiting friends in the area.
Her father said the car Marquez had been using was found abandoned along Bellaire Boulevard with the keys still inside on Dec. 11. Her cellphone was also left behind, something her family says was completely out of character.
She had last been seen on the night of Dec. 16 at a bus stop along South Gessner Road.
Her family traveled to Houston from El Paso to help with the search.
The Source: The information in this article comes from Jersey Village police and family members.