Emmanuel Gonzalez Garcia was missing for six days. Now we're learning more about where he was. HOUSTON — A Houston teenager reported missing earlier this month is now in the custody of the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement, after being found by first responders during a welfare check. Emmanuel Gonzalez Garcia was reported missing on Saturday, October 4. The following day, the Texas Center for the Missing shared a flyer asking for help locating him. According to the Houston Police Department, Houston firefighters responding to a welfare call on Sunday, October 5, encountered the teen. Emmanuel reportedly told officers he was homeless and from another country. HPD says officers spent four hours with Garcia before being advised by Child Protective Services to contact the Department of Health and Human Services. ICE, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, later confirmed that HPD reached out to them that same day. However, ICE says it did not detain Garcia at any point. “On Oct. 5, the Houston Police Department contacted ICE about a minor they had picked up who claimed to be homeless and from another country,” an ICE spokesperson said in a statement. “ICE worked with HPD to see if they could identify the minor or any of the minor’s family members living in the U.S. When no family could be identified, ICE helped HPD place the minor with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement. At no point was the minor in ICE custody.” Garcia’s mother, Maria, was able to speak with her son over a 30-minute FaceTime call. “He told me, ‘Mom, I’m here, I’m okay,’” she said in Spanish. The family is working with the Houston-based immigrant rights organization FIEL, which initially believed Garcia was being held by ICE. Cesar Espinoza, Executive Director of FIEL, said the teen appears to be in good health but is understandably shaken. “We want to report that Emmanuel is in good health, he seems to physically be okay, he is a little bit scared,” Espinoza said. Immigration attorney Charles C. Foster says the case presents challenges for both Garcia and his family. “The normal thing that the parents would want to do is recover the child,” Foster explained. “But they’re going to run the risk, when they do seek to recover the child, they could actually be arrested by ICE.” Foster added that minors who have experienced abuse or neglect may qualify for certain immigration protections under U.S. law. Meanwhile, HPD says it followed all proper procedures to determine if Garcia was listed as missing before placing him with the Office of Refugee Resettlement. FIEL says it is now reviewing legal options on behalf of the family. Got a news tip or story idea? Email us at newstips@khou.com or call 713-521-4310 and include your name and the best way to reach you.