Police seek missing 18-year-old with autism after he leaves Reseda school

Los Angeles police have designated Junior Saavedra, an 18-year-old student with autism, a critical missing person after he reportedly walked out of his Reseda school Friday, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

His family is asking for help finding him while his mother, Maria Saavedra, seeks an explanation of the school's response. She said staff did not notify her until well after the time they told her he disappeared.

Saavedra was last seen at Diane S. Leichman Career Preparatory and Transition Center in Reseda, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. His mother said he walked out of the school.

Maria Saavedra said school staff called to ask whether her son had returned home. According to her account, staff said he disappeared at 11:20 a.m., but she did not receive their call until 12:59 p.m. She said police arrived at 1:20 p.m.

She described the school as serving students with autism and disabilities. She also said her son, despite being 18, functions cognitively at the level of a 4-year-old, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

He was last seen in light gray sweatpants and a long-sleeved blue shirt beneath a white T-shirt. He also wore a black Dodgers hat, the station reported.

Anyone with information about Saavedra's whereabouts is urged to contact police, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.