Left and Center: Michael circa, 1977
Right: Age Progressed to age 46
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: July 12, 1977
Missing From: San Benito, Cameron County, Texas
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: June 22, 1972
Age: 5 years old
Height and Weight: 3’10” and 45 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Hispanic Male, Red/Auburn hair, Brown eyes, Michaels height and weight were unknown at the time of his disappearance so various agencies have given the said height and weight as an approximate
NCMEC Number: 603369
Details of Disappearance
Michael was last seen in San Benito, Texas on July 12th 1977. He disappeared while playing outside of his family’s home and has not been seen or heard from since. His mother noticed police of the child’s disappearance in the afternoon. An extensive search of the area turned up no sign of him.
An unconfirmed sighting of Michael was reported by a neighbor of his. The neighbor said he had seen Michael walking along Alamo Street. His mother, Enedelia Cavazos, stayed that her son was on his way to visit his aunt. This information has not been confirmed.
Authorities initially believed that the boy had drowned in a drainage ditch. He liked to play in an area near the ditch and investigators thought it was possible he had fallen in and drowned. If this is what happened, Michael’s body was not found. It’s possible his body was swept away by the current.
Enedelia is said to be the primary suspect in her son’s disappearance. One year before Michaels disappearance, one of his brothers died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome which for short is known as “SIDS”. Another one of his brothers may have also died in the months after his disappearance. Enedelia left the area in the middle of the investigation and lost contact with police handling his disappearance. She passed a polygraph in relation to her sons case. She has had several other children with different men but ha Denver married. It’s unknown as to who was Michael’s father. He now lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Michaels disappearance remains unsolved. Due to lack of evidence, various missing children sites list him as a non family abduction.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
San Benito Police Department 956-361-3880
Source Information
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children