Family of missing mom asks Houston lawmaker for help after woman last seen on Ring video
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The family of a 40-year-old Houston mom of three who has been missing since April 17 may get some help from a Houston lawmaker.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee met Erica Hernandez's family over the weekend and made an announcement about how she is helping with search effort on Monday.
WATCH: Rep. Jackson Lee on missing mom: 'Someone knows something'
Erica hasn't been seen since the early morning hours of April 17 when she left a friend's house in the 6000 block of Benning Drive in southwest Houston.
"We called the hospitals, we asked for her name and asked for Jane Doe's nothing," said Eldia Hernandez, Erica's sister-in-law. "We're all frustrated. We're all in disbelief because this is not like her. This is not her routine. Her kids are her world, and she would never ever leave her kids."
RELATED: Texas EquuSearch looking for mom of 3 last seen in SW Houston on April 17
Eldia Hernandez shared doorbell camera video that shows Erica leaving their home Saturday evening. In the video, Erica is wearing jeans, an aqua blue shirt, and her hair was pulled back. Eldia Hernandez said Erica was dropping off food at the house while her three children, ages 19, 15 and 3 years old, waited in the car.
"She was fine. I mean, she was happy," Eldia said, describing Erica the last time she saw her. "She was a little tired, but that was about it."
According to the family, Erica returned to her vehicle and took the children home before leaving for her friend's house later that evening. She was wearing the same clothes and driving her 2020 GMC Acadia with an "Aggie Mom" decal on the back.
Texas Equusearch, Houston Police Department's Missing Persons Unit and dozens of volunteers are all helping with search efforts.
Investigators believe Erica was last seen in the area of McHard Road and the Fort Bend Tollway sometime Sunday morning.
Erica's brother, Rafael Hernandez, said that would be a detour or an alternate route for Erica to get home.
Family and volunteers started searching near 288 and Reed Road on Saturday.
Rafael said it was a new search location, but it would be a route Erica may have taken to get home.
Albert Flores with Texas United Coalition said he first heard about the case at Vanessa Guillen's 1-year vigil Thursday in southeast Houston, where fliers were handed out.
Members of the group, which has helped in searches before, decided to help the family. Flores also donated a $1,000 reward for any information that could lead to Erica's whereabouts or her vehicle.
Flores said the group is also in need of ATVs and other resources for search efforts. Anyone who wants to help can call 832-361-0357.
"Prayers for the family and people that are willing to help and resources that are made available, especially to Texas Equusearch, they do a lot," Flores said. "I think combined and us unifying together will give us a better chance."
Houston police said foul play has not been ruled out, and its Missing Persons Unit is actively working this case.
Anyone with information on Erica's whereabouts is urged to contact the Houston Police Department at 832-394-1840, HPD crime stoppers at 713-521-4600 or Texas EquuSearch at 281-309-9500.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help offset costs involved with the search for Hernandez.
Watch more on the search for Erica Hernandez in this previous story.
