An Amber Alert has been issued for a Houston teenager who disappeared late Monday night, with investigators saying she is believed to be in the company of an older man.
At a Glance
- Bless Flores, 16, vanished after 11 p.m. on January 12
- Police think she is with a 28-year-old man known only as Hector
- The pair may be traveling in a gray Jeep bearing temporary Texas tag 23367TMP
- Why it matters: Every passing hour reduces the chances of a safe recovery, and authorities are urging anyone who spots the Jeep to call 911 immediately.
Last Known Moments
According to the Texas Center for the Missing, Flores was last seen walking away from her Houston home wearing black sweatpants and a black hoodie. Surveillance cameras in the area captured a gray Jeep circling the block shortly before she disappeared.
Local outlets KHOU and Fox 26 confirmed that detectives have identified the driver only as Hector, age 28. Investigators have not released a physical description of the man, saying only that he is not a relative and that the teenager’s family does not know him.
Vehicle Details
The Jeep carries a paper temporary license plate issued by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. The plate number-23367TMP-is visible in traffic-camera footage obtained by Houston police.
Detectives stress the vehicle could be anywhere in the state by now and have asked neighboring counties to be on alert.
Description of Bless Flores
- Age: 16
- Height: 5 feet 4 inches
- Weight: approximately 110 pounds
- Hair: dark brown
- Eyes: brown
- Last clothing: black hoodie, black sweatpants, white sneakers
Family members say she left her phone behind, making traditional tracking impossible.
How to Help
Anyone who believes they have seen Flores, Hector, or the gray Jeep should:
- Call Houston Police at (832) 394-1840
- Reference Amber Alert case #26-001215
- Note the time, location, and direction of travel
- Do not approach the vehicle; call 911 immediately
Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS.
Investigation Status
As of Thursday morning, the search has expanded to include:
- Texas Department of Public Safety troopers
- FBI Houston Field Office child-exploitation task force
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children digital forensics team
Detectives are reviewing additional surveillance footage from gas stations and toll booths along U.S. Highway 59 and Interstate 45, the two main corridors leading out of Houston.
Family Plea
In a brief statement released through the Texas Center for the Missing, Flores’s mother asked anyone holding her daughter to “please let her come home.” The family has organized nightly candlelight vigils outside their southwest Houston home, drawing dozens of neighbors and classmates.
Key Takeaways
- The Amber Alert was activated within four hours of her disappearance, meeting federal rapid-response guidelines
- The temporary tag is the strongest lead; similar plates are often used on recently purchased vehicles
- Authorities caution that time is critical-statistics show the first 72 hours are the most crucial in missing-child cases
Anyone with information, no matter how small, is urged to contact investigators immediately.
