Homeless people are being called heroes after finding a missing 6-year-old autistic boy. Police indentified the child as Sergio Zepeda after a 911 call came in from a man at a California homeless encampment on Sunday morning.
Several homeless people are being called heroes after finding a missing 6-year-old autistic boy. Police indentified the child as Sergio Zepeda after a 911 call came in from a man at a California homeless encampment on Sunday morning.
Jose Salmeron woke up early Sunday when he heard a bizarre rustling noise. Reflecting on the ordeal, he remarked “I popped out of my tent and I saw a naked person. At first I thought it was an alien, like ET. I shined my flashlight at him and when I looked closer it was a little boy.”
He yelled out to everyone in the homeless camp, which is occupied by about 5 people. Salmeron grabbed a blanket for the child along with food and water.
One of his campmates dialed 911. The child received medical attention at the scene and was later taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure. Sergio has since been reunited with his family members.
Police suspect Sergio, who is autistic, walked over a hill to get to the homeless camp. They don’t think any crime was committed in the child’s disappearance.
Salmeron has spoken to reporters and insists he and his campmates aren’t heroes, but he says they did what anyone else would have done if a helpless child was found.
