05/27/2026
(FOR PUBLIC RELEASE 0526-2026): On Tuesday, May 26-2026, at approximately 6:30 pm, Officers of the Tucumcari Police Department were notified about two missing juvenile males. The children were both under the age of 11. Preliminary reports indicated that the children had wandered from a residence on South Third street in Tucumcari, N.M., and had not been seen since approximately 4:30 pm.
The Tucumcari Police Department, Tucumcari Fire/EMS, Quay County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State Police began to search for the children.
After approximately an hour, law enforcement received information that the children were at a residence in the County. The children were located soon thereafter and safely returned home.
The followup investigation indicated that the children had made contact with a family friend who gave them a ride to his residence to play with their own children after being informed by the children that they had permission to go.
TPD can confirm the children are safe and back with family.
“It’s been said before and it’s worth noting again that when emergency services and the community they serve work together, amazing things can happen. The children being located is the direct result of good people being willing to provide the key information that helped locate these kiddos. The information they provided, going out to the various first responders brought the situation to a quick and successful end. Thank you community for the help and a sincere thank you to the Quay County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State Police, Tucumcari Fire/EMS, and Quay County Emergency Management for working alongside TPD. Interagency cooperation and community support make a difference! -L. Emillio (COP)