Family Searches For Missing Man Visiting NYC From Ecuador
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The search is on for a man visiting New York City from Ecuador who went missing on Friday.
As CBS 2's Hazel Sanchez reported, the family of 26-year-old Geovanny Gonzalez stood in the chilly fall air on Sunday passing out fliers with his picture, hoping their efforts will lead to his safe return.
Gonzalez's mother, Estela Luna, said she, her husband and son are in New York for a 10 day vacation visiting family in Brooklyn.
The family said they arrived on Friday morning and a few hours later Gonzalez had vanished.
"We're very, very, very scared for him," said Gonzalez's cousin Robinson Almache.
Almache said the young man is on medication for epileptic seizures, and although he's in his 20s, he has the mind of a 10-year-old.
On the day of his disappearance, Almache said Gonzalez was very eager to see the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. When he was told he had to wait, he took off down Wycoff Avenue near Grove Avenue in Brooklyn, Sanchez reported.
"He went at such a fast pace when my aunt and uncle went to look for him, they saw him a few blocks away," Almache said. "It was too late. By the time they got there he just vanished."
Gonzalez is 6 feet tall and about 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes, Sanchez reported. He was last seen wearing a brown and grey striped polo shirt, grey pants and black shoes.
His family said he doesn't speak any English, and doesn't have money or his medication.
"We're asking New York just to look up out of our busy day lives. Look up to see Geovanny, to see if he's there. Each one of us, if we're able to do that, might be able to save him," Almache said.
Police K-9 units have been aiding in the search for Gonzalez. Police said his scent was picked up at a nearby subway station, so police believe Gonzalez could be anywhere in the city, or possibly Long Island.
Gonzalez's family said he takes three different medications, two times a day. Because he's not had them, he will likely appear disoriented and weak.
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