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

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