HOUSTON — A teen with autism who has been held in federal custody for nearly two months was released on Friday evening.

Emmanuel Garcia’s mother said she finally received the call she had been waiting for, informing her that her son would be released and that she needed to bring her documentation to pick him up.

The 14-year-old went missing on October 4 while his mother was working. He was picked up by police and turned over to federal authorities at the Office of Refugee Resettlement for unaccompanied minors. The case sparked heated debate at city council meetings, with the mayor and police chief discussing why Emmanuel was turned over to federal custody when he had a mother actively searching for him.

After 48 days in detention, the family’s attorney said they went to federal court and won their case.

“A federal judge determined he wasn’t an unaccompanied minor and needed to be released to his mother,” the attorney said.

Emmanuel walked out of the detention center Thursday night alongside his mother and sister, smiling. He had made a small craft in the shape of a heart while in detention, which he gave to his mother. When asked how he felt, Emmanuel said he was happy and didn’t expect to be released.

His mother had a message for the mayor and police chief.

“The only thing I can tell them is to admit their error. They didn’t want to do what was possible to find out about Emmanuel’s family and release him,” she said.

“I never thought they would fail me. Fail a child. They spoke about his difficulties, his disabilities,” she said in Spanish.

The mother said the system failed her and her disabled son, but she expressed gratitude for the community that rallied behind them. Thanks to their support and God, she said, she has her son back in her arms.

Despite the reunion, the family’s future remains uncertain. They are undocumented and could face deportation at any moment. The family’s attorney said they will meet to explore options for helping the family remain together.