One of the worst nightmares for the parents of a young person with autism became reality in Los Angeles this month when 20-year-old Jonathan went missing from his family’s home. Fortunately, after four frightening days, Jonathan’s parents received a phone call from ADT Patrol Officer Fernando Gutierrez, who then put Jonathan on the call to say hello to his tearful mother.
At noon on April 10, Gutierrez, a veteran Patrol Officer with 27 years of experience at ADT, was on routine patrol in the Benedict Hills Homeowners Association near Beverly Hills. He received a call from a resident reporting a suspicious person wandering the neighborhood.
“I responded immediately,” Gutierrez said. “It is our job to observe and report. Anything can happen and, in situations like these, every moment might matter.”
Upon arriving, Gutierrez cautiously approached the individual. “For the safety of the community, and our own personal safety, we have to regard everyone as a potential threat,” he said. “He was on the sidewalk and appeared confused, but didn’t seem to be a burglar.”
Gutierrez continued to assess the young man and, once he determined that he was not a threat, engaged him in a calm, reassuring conversation.
Gutierrez discovered that the young man was named Jonathan and was autistic. He was lost and very thirsty for water. Gutierrez has experience working with people with autism — one of the homeowners in the association has an autistic child who has become lost in the past — and continued to gently gather information.
Despite his disorientation, Jonathan was able to provide his father’s cell phone number. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Gutierrez wasted no time, calling Jonathan’s father and alerting the Los Angeles Police Department to ensure Jonathan's safe return.
Jonathan’s parents were overwhelmed with relief when they received the call, with his mother bursting into tears at the sound of her son’s voice. It was only then that Gutierrez learned the extent of the family's ordeal — Jonathan had been missing from his home for four agonizing days.
Officer Gutierrez’s familiarity with the neighborhood, built over nearly three decades of serving the patrol area, proved invaluable during the crisis. His proactive engagement with community members and discerning observation skills were instrumental in assisting Jonathan.
“Being part of this community for so long, you develop relationships and a real sense of responsibility,” Gutierrez said.
And that sense of responsibility extends to Jonathan now, too. Gutierrez called Jonathan’s father shortly after the incident to check in on the family, and confirmed Jonathan is doing well.
“This successful resolution was truly a team effort,” Gutierrez said. “The alert resident who initially called in, the immediate cooperation from the LAPD, and Jonathan's incredible resilience and memory were all key factors — I mean, I don’t know my mom’s cell number off the top of my head. I’m just grateful I was there to help.”
ADT commends Officer Fernando Gutierrez for his outstanding dedication and action, demonstrating the values and commitment to community care at the heart of ADT’s belief that everyone deserves to feel safe.
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