Houston Mother Of 3 Missing For More Than A Week; FBI Joins Search

The FBI has joined the search for a missing mother in Houston who has not been heard from for more than a week, local leaders said Monday.

Investigators said 40-year-old Erica Hernandez, mother of three, was last seen on April 17. She was reportedly seen driving her 2020 Black GMC Acadia near Highway 288 and the Beltway in the southwest part of Houston.

The search crew did a thorough search in the area, Lt. Manny Cruz, commander at Houston Police Department's Missing Persons Unit, said Monday as per NBC News.

"She was mobile," Cruz said. "She could have really driven anywhere."

Cruz added that that the search team was already planning to expand the area of search.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas said the FBI is working in "a complimentary [sic] and collaborative stance with the Houston Police Department" to locate Erica. "This mother needs to be found and she needs to be found now," Lee said.

Texas EqquSearch, a non-profit group, has volunteered to help the family in the search.

"We're all frustrated. We're all in disbelief because this is not like her. This is not her routine. Her kids are her world, and she would never ever leave her kids," Eldia Hernandez, Erica's sister-in-law, said as reported by ABC 13.

Eldia last saw Erica Saturday evening, when Erica came to her place to drop off some food. Eldia shared the doorbell camera video of the visit.

According to the family, Erica returned to her car after handing over the food to Eldia. Her three kids, aged 19, 15 and 3, were sitting inside the vehicle at that time. She then drove the kids back home and left for her friend's house later that evening.

Erica reportedly left her friend's house the following morning at around 2:30 a.m. local time but did not make it home after. On her way home, her friend contacted her to ask how was she was from her residence. Erica said she was five minutes away from home. However, her phone was switched off after that.

Ashley Hernandez, Erica's sister, fears that Erica's life is in danger. "I really do think she's in danger. There's no reason why we can't find her vehicle. I do think she's in danger. I really do," Ashley said.

The car has a Texas A&M University Aggie mom sticker on it and has the license plate of MKJ3303.