Family and friends find Miguel Munoz after mistaken jail release in San Diego

The family of Miguel Munoz, a diagnosed schizophrenic from Fallbrook, experienced an emotional four-day search after he was mistakenly released from San Diego Central Jail in the middle of the night without their knowledge. Munoz, 35, was arrested on October 3 for public intoxication near his home in Fallbrook. He was booked and released out of San Diego Central Jail onto the unfamiliar streets of downtown San Diego just after midnight on Friday. His family, unaware of his release, began a desperate search to find him.

Munoz, a native Fallbrookian, is a familiar sight walking around Fallbrook daily. He is a 6'1" Hispanic man, about 250 pounds. He can be seen talking to himself and likely is wearing shorts and is shirtless a lot of the time. According to the family, he doesn't have a drug or alcohol problem.

Idalia Martinez and her husband Marco, along with Private Investigator Tony Campbell of AC Investigations, and Shirley Viramontes, were combing San Diego for Munoz, who is known for wandering around Fallbrook but had no sense of San Diego. In years past when Munoz would be picked up, the family was used to being notified before Munoz's release from custody so they could pick him up and ensure his safe return. This time, the usual protocols were missed, leaving Munoz vulnerable and alone in the sprawling city.

Munoz's sister Roxanne thanked everyone who helped during the search. "I was starting to feel like we would never find him," she said, grateful to have her brother back after what she described as an agonizing ordeal.

Tony Campbell from AC Investigations spoke to people in San Diego and reviewed surveillance footage from various businesses in hopes of spotting Munoz. Their persistence paid off when Idalia and Marco visited a car repair shop on Mission Gorge Road and asked if they had seen Munoz. To their relief, the shop had recently installed surveillance cameras and was able to provide video footage from Monday morning. It showed Munoz walking past the business.

With this crucial piece of evidence, the family intensified their search in the area. A short while later, Marco spotted Munoz near an intersection on Mission Gorge Road, roughly eight to ten miles from where he had been released. Munoz, tired and hungry, recognized his sister Idalia immediately, calling out to her as she ran toward him.

"He's hungry and tired, but seems to be okay," said Campbell. Munoz was given food and water before the family brought him back to Fallbrook, where they met with local deputies, including Fallbrook Deputy Benner. The Sheriff's department wanted to ensure that Munoz was safe and confirm his identity. They also discussed the potential need for a conservatorship to ensure Munoz's ongoing care. His mother is his primary caregiver, but she has been ill, has a hurt ankle and undergoes dialysis three times a week, according to family. She worries about what will happen to her son when she is gone, according to Roxanne.

Lt. McNeal from the Fallbrook Sheriff Substation confirmed that they had been using all available investigative tools to assist in locating Munoz.

The family is now considering legal guardianship options for Munoz, as his mental health continues to pose challenges. "We just want to make sure this never happens again," Roxanne said. "He needs care, and we're doing everything we can to make sure he gets it."

Though Munoz's journey ended safely, the experience has highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by families caring for loved ones with mental illness, and the importance of communication between law enforcement, mental health services, and families.

The new California law that allows families to establish conservatorships to care for loved ones with mental health issues is the CARE Act, which stands for Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment Act. This law was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2022 and began implementation in 2023. The CARE Act creates a legal framework for families, clinicians, and first responders to petition a court to implement a CARE plan for individuals suffering from severe mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia, who are not able to help themselves.

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Missing Fallbrook man is found. "He's hungry and tired, but seems to be ok, " said Tony Campbell from AC Investigations. He is on the way back to Fallbrook with his family.

More to be reported within the hour

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Missing Fallbrook man reportedly seen in San Diego

UPDATE 10/7/24: A video has been found showing "Miko" Miguel Munoz in San Diego. This was after someone reporting they had seen him. There are several family members and friends who are searching for Munoz in San Diego.

Lt. McNeal from the Fallbrook Sheriff Substation wrote, "I wanted to inform you that we are utilizing all our investigative tools and resources to locate Mr. Munoz. Please be assured that this matter is being handled with the utmost priority. I will keep you updated on any new developments as they arise. "

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Family searching for schizophrenic Fallbrook man after arrest and release in San Diego

The family of Miguel "Miko" Munoz, a diagnosed schizophrenic, is frantically searching for him after he was arrested for public intoxication and later released from San Diego Central Jail. Munoz, 35, was arrested near his Fallbrook home on Ammunition, near S. Mission Rd, around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 3. But confusion surrounding his release has left his family scrambling to find him.

Miguel Angel Munoz, Age:35, is described as Hispanic, brown eyes, black hair, height 6'0, 250 lbs, wearing light grey shirt and dark blue shorts with sandals.

According to Munoz's sister, Roxanne, the family was accustomed to being notified when Munoz, who has had several run-ins with law enforcement due to his mental health condition, was about to be released to mental health services. However, this time, no such notification was given. "They usually tell us when he's being released so we can be there," Roxanne said. "This time, when I called to put money on his books, we found out he had already been released just after midnight onto the streets in downtown San Diego. He knows his way around Fallbrook, but not San Diego. We are very worried about him."

Munoz's sister, Idalia, was told by the San Diego Central Jail, that that Munoz was released at 12:05 a.m. Friday from San Diego Central Jail, but his family was initially unaware of his whereabouts. They were first told he might be in Fallbrook, then Vista, before it was confirmed he had been booked and released from jail in downtown San Diego.

Further complicating matters, Susan received a disturbing call from an unknown man claiming to have her brother and demanding a ransom for his return. The Fallbrook Sheriff's Department believes the call is likely a scam, according to Officer Flores, who spoke with Roxanne at the Fallbrook Sheriff's Department. The call came from an Illinois number and when deputies called the number, it belonged to a guy who said his brother used his phone. The family continues to answer calls, hoping for any news about Munoz's whereabouts.

Miguel Munoz's mental health issues have been a long-standing challenge for his family. He has been officially diagnosed with schizophrenia for over a decade and has been placed in several mental health facilities, including a stay at a facility in Poway. In the past, he has been taken on psychiatric holds, known as 5150s, after incidents at home, and around town, but his family says that after being evaluated, he is released.

The release of Munoz without any coordination with mental health services or his family has raised concerns among his family, particularly since his elderly mother, his primary caregiver, recently broke her ankle and is on dialysis. She is now worried about who will care for Munoz in her absence. "He's been stabbed, shot, and even run over before. We've been trying to get him into a long-term care facility, but it's been a struggle," said Idalia.

Family members and friends, including Munoz's cousin Abbey and sister Rosa, are currently searching the streets of downtown San Diego, following reports from people who claim to have seen him near local transit centers early Friday morning. His sisters have also mobilized church members to search along the Escondido-to-Vista transit route, carrying a photo of Munoz.

Meanwhile, the family continues to deal with the emotional toll of the situation. "We're all in a panic. We just want to find him," Idalia said. Munoz is now officially listed as a missing person in the system, according to Officer Flores.

Speculation from one person close to the situtaion was that Munoz's arrest for public intoxication was likely a misunderstanding, with the family speculating that the arresting officer, a newer recruit in Fallbrook, may not have been familiar with Munoz's condition. Officer Flores confirmed that Munoz was arrested under California Penal Code 647(f) for public intoxication, a charge that has further complicated efforts to ensure Munoz gets the care he needs.

As the search for Munoz continues, the family is hoping to find him in San Diego, or for his safe return. There are family and friends searching and placing posters in San Diego right now. Some people searching said a person at the San Diego Trolley Station reported to have seen him at 5 am this morning.

Anyone with information regarding Miguel Munoz's whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Missing Person's hotline at (619) 531-2277 or (760) 405-4079 or Tony Campbell from AC Investigations at 760-828-1423.

This is an early version story and will be updated as more information is available.

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Julie Reeder - AC Investigations | Última actualización 6 de octubre de 2024, 3:46 p.m.

La familia de Miguel "Miko" Muñoz, un hombre diagnosticado con esquizofrenia, está buscando desesperadamente a su pariente después de que fue arrestado por intoxicación pública y más tarde liberado de la Cárcel Central de San Diego. Muñoz, de 35 años, fue arrestado cerca de su casa en Fallbrook, en la calle Ammunition cerca de S. Mission Rd, alrededor de la 1:30 p.m. el jueves, 3 de octubre. Sin embargo, la confusión sobre su liberación ha dejado a su familia luchando por encontrarlo.

Miguel Ángel Muñoz, de 35 años, es descrito como hispano, de ojos marrones, cabello negro, mide 6 pies (1,83 m), pesa 250 libras, y vestía una camiseta gris claro y pantalones cortos azul oscuro con sandalias.

Según su hermana Roxanne, la familia estaba acostumbrada a recibir notificaciones cuando Muñoz, quien ha tenido varios encuentros con la policía debido a su condición de salud mental, iba a ser liberado a los servicios de salud mental. Sin embargo, esta vez no se les dio tal notificación. "Usualmente nos avisan cuando va a ser liberado para que podamos estar allí", dijo Roxanne. "Esta vez, cuando llamé para poner dinero en su cuenta, descubrimos que ya había sido liberado poco después de la medianoche en las calles del centro de San Diego. Él conoce Fallbrook, pero no San Diego. Estamos muy preocupados por él".

La hermana de Muñoz, Idalia, fue informada por la Cárcel Central de San Diego que Muñoz fue liberado a las 12:05 a.m. del viernes, pero su familia inicialmente no sabía su paradero. Primero les dijeron que podría estar en Fallbrook, luego en Vista, antes de que se confirmara que había sido registrado y liberado en el centro de San Diego.

Complicando aún más la situación, Susan recibió una inquietante llamada de un hombre desconocido que afirmaba tener a su hermano y exigía un rescate por su regreso. El Departamento del Sheriff de Fallbrook cree que la llamada es probablemente una estafa, según el oficial Flores, quien habló con Roxanne en el Departamento del Sheriff de Fallbrook. La llamada provenía de un número de Illinois y, cuando los agentes llamaron al número, la persona dijo que su hermano había utilizado su teléfono. La familia sigue respondiendo a las llamadas con la esperanza de recibir alguna noticia sobre el paradero de Muñoz.

Los problemas de salud mental de Miguel Muñoz han sido un desafío constante para su familia. Ha sido diagnosticado oficialmente con esquizofrenia durante más de una década y ha sido internado en varias instalaciones de salud mental, incluida una estadía en un centro en Poway. En el pasado, ha sido sometido a detenciones psiquiátricas, conocidas como 5150, después de incidentes en casa y en la comunidad, pero su familia dice que, tras ser evaluado, a menudo es liberado.

La liberación de Muñoz sin ninguna coordinación con los servicios de salud mental ni con su familia ha generado preocupaciones, especialmente porque su madre anciana, su principal cuidadora, recientemente se rompió el tobillo y está en diálisis. Ahora está preocupada por quién cuidará de Muñoz en su ausencia. "Lo han apuñalado, disparado e incluso atropellado antes. Hemos estado tratando de ingresarlo en una instalación de cuidados a largo plazo, pero ha sido un esfuerzo difícil", dijo Idalia.

Familiares y amigos, incluida su prima Abbey y su hermana Rosa, están actualmente buscando en las calles del centro de San Diego, siguiendo informes de personas que afirman haberlo visto cerca de los centros de transporte locales el viernes por la mañana. Sus hermanas también han movilizado a los miembros de su iglesia para buscar a lo largo de la ruta de tránsito de Escondido a Vista, llevando una foto de Muñoz.

Mientras tanto, la familia continúa lidiando con el estrés emocional de la situación. "Todos estamos en pánico. Solo queremos encontrarlo", dijo Idalia. Según el oficial Flores, Muñoz ya está oficialmente registrado como persona desaparecida en el sistema.

Una persona cercana a la situación especuló que el arresto de Muñoz por intoxicación pública fue probablemente un malentendido, con la familia sugiriendo que el oficial que lo arrestó, un recluta más reciente en Fallbrook, puede no haber estado familiarizado con la condición de Muñoz. El oficial Flores confirmó que Muñoz fue arrestado bajo el Código Penal de California 647(f) por intoxicación pública, un cargo que ha complicado aún más los esfuerzos para garantizar que Muñoz reciba la atención que necesita.

Mientras la búsqueda de Muñoz continúa, la familia espera encontrarlo en San Diego o que regrese a salvo. Hay familiares y amigos buscando y colocando carteles en San Diego en este momento. Algunas personas que lo están buscando dijeron que una persona en la estación de tranvía de San Diego informó haberlo visto a las 5 a.m. esta mañana.

Cualquier persona con información sobre el paradero de Miguel Muñoz se le pide que contacte la línea directa de personas desaparecidas al (619) 531-2277 o (760) 405-4079, o a Tony Campbell de AC Investigations al 760-828-1423.

Esta es una versión preliminar de la historia y se actualizará a medida que haya más información disponible.