Andrew Escobar was 11 years old when he disappeared from Rio Rancho, New Mexico at the end of June 2023. For three years, his father Juan searched for him. In July 2026, that search ended — Andrew was found safe, and father and son were reunited.
In 2023, Juan Escobar won a custody decision for Andrew following his divorce from Andrew's mother, Miriam Felix-Delgado. Shortly after, Andrew went to stay overnight with his mother and never came home. He was reported missing at 11 years old. Juan hired a private investigator, who traced Miriam to Fort Collins, Colorado — but by the time Juan arrived, both Miriam and Andrew were gone.
Investigation later revealed that Miriam had changed her name to Sophie Shelton and Andrew's name to Oliver Shelton. Over the following three years, Andrew told authorities he and his mother traveled through several countries, including Austria, Albania, and Mexico, where he attended school online.
In July 2026, Border Patrol identified Andrew as a missing person as he and his mother crossed into El Paso, Texas from Ciudad Juárez. Both were taken into custody, and El Paso police contacted Juan. Miriam faces multiple felony warrants for violating the custody agreement and is being held for extradition to New Mexico. The U.S. Marshals Service and FBI are continuing to investigate the case.
Juan has said Andrew is physically healthy but has been through a great deal emotionally and mentally after three years away from his family. The family is taking time to help him adjust back to life at home.
Juan Escobar's three-year search — hiring outside investigators, working across jurisdictions, and refusing to stop looking even when leads went cold — reflects exactly the kind of sustained advocacy AdvocacyCon exists to support. If you're searching for a missing loved one and don't know where to start, connecting with other advocating families can make all the difference.