In a July 22 press release, the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office (FBCSO) shared the successful recovery of a missing 20-year-old man with cognitive disabilities, thanks to the department’s “Take Me Home program.

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 16, at approximately 1:45 a.m., deputies responded to a call in a Richmond subdivision about an adult found wandering the neighborhood. A nearby resident, Alec Denobrega, noticed the young man—later identified as Brady—wandering along the street and eventually into his garage. Denobrega immediately called the Sheriff’s Office for assistance.

Deputies arrived quickly and attempted to communicate with Brady through both ESL (English as a Second Language) methods and written messages but were unsuccessful. Using Brady’s physical description and photograph, deputies accessed the “Take Me Home” database and were able to identify him within minutes. Deputies also used a nickname listed in the system to help build trust with Brady, ultimately convincing him to follow them to his home.

Brady was safely reunited with his family within 15 minutes after deputies arrived on scene.

“This situation is exactly why we believe so strongly in the Take Me Home program,” said Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan. “Because of our deputies’ training, quick thinking, and the information available through this vital tool, we were able to safely reunite a vulnerable young man with his family. We encourage all families of individuals with cognitive disabilities to register.”

Brady’s mother, Dr. Dana Walker, said this was the first time her son had attempted to leave home in the middle of the night.

Sergeant Matthew Hricko, who coordinates the program for the FBCSO, emphasized the value of the system in emergency situations. “The database gives us a way to quickly identify individuals who may not be able to speak for themselves,” said Sgt. Hricko. “It bridges the communication gap and gives us access to crucial information that can make all the difference in cases like Brady’s.”

About Take Me Home

“Take Me Home” is a secure, voluntary database developed by the Pensacola Police Department and utilized by the FBCSO to assist individuals who may become disoriented or have difficulty communicating due to cognitive or developmental disabilities. The system allows law enforcement to identify registered individuals using their photo and physical description and to contact their caregivers immediately.

As of July 22, 318 citizens are registered in the Fort Bend County “Take Me Home” program. Which is accessible to 507 officers across multiple agencies within the county, ensuring that help is available from nearly every corner of Fort Bend County.