A six-year-old autistic boy who had been missing since Saturday morning was discovered the next day, the San Jose Mercury News reports, by several homeless people and good Samaritans whose modesty prevented them from calling themselves heroes despite their act of kindness.
“We’re not heroes. It was the only right thing to do. When you see a helpless kid like that, you are supposed to do the right thing, and just call the cops right away. Thank God he didn’t get hit by a train, or fall into the water,” said Jose Salmerone, 36, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
Salmerone was reportedly the only person who agreed to speak with the media.
Salmerone said he was at first startled when he discovered little Sergio Zapeda standing naked in a makeshift shower in the homeless encampment where he resides with at least five other people. The discovery was made at approximately 4:15 am on Sunday.
The San Jose Police believe little Sergio may have walked a distance of up to three miles to get from his family’s home to the encampment located at the bottom of Communications Hill, which is situated very close to train tracks, notes the Mercury News.
Police do not suspect foul play in Sergio’s disappearance.
The San Jose Police said they would like to nominate Salmerone for a good Samaritan award at the city because of his act of kindness.
Photo: San Jose Police Dept. via San Jose Mercury News
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