A Long Beach woman is seeking the public’s help in finding her missing 21-year-old son, who was last seen on September 18.

Screen Shot 2014-11-07 at 12.08.16 PMThomas William Alvarenga [pictured left with his mother] is described as Hispanic, 5’10”, 140 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes.

His mother, Cecilia Ruiz, said Thomas was last seen on September 18 in the area of Hill and Long Beach Boulevard with a friend. Hours before, he told his mother he would “be right back,” but did not return home.

“It was just another day,” Ruiz said. “He was going to school, but he hadn’t been for two days because he said he was sick. I texted him that night on September 18 at about 10:00PM, and he said he was at a friends’ house. He told us he was fine. I told him not to come home too late. He never came home.”

Ruiz said she has been in contact with Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) detectives, as well as reached out to local hospitals and jails. No one has any information, she said.

Alvarenga left home with only the clothes on his back, she said, and left his ID and social security card at home.

Screen Shot 2014-11-07 at 12.08.07 PMHe was working to earn his GED and studying carpentry, Ruiz said, adding that he was currently not working.

Ruiz said Alvarenga was diagnosed with schizophrenia last year, but has been doing well enough lately that his doctor told him he didn’t need his medication anymore.

“I’m not sure if he was in a crisis or not,” she said. “My concern is that if he did get in a crisis, he doesn’t remember who he is.”

Ruiz said she has no leads about where her son could be, but just hopes he is safe.

“I’ll be honest with you. I don’t know if he has any enemies,” she said. “I don’t think he has any enemies but I cannot be sure about that 100%. I don’t want to think that he was kidnapped but you never know. This isn’t him. He hasn’t been away from home this long before. I’m really concerned. I know he’s an adult but he has friends and family that love him and care about him. We don’t understand why he’s not coming home.”

Ruiz is asking anyone who may have information about her son’s whereabouts to call her at 562-507-3312 or 562-719-6945, the LBPD at 562-570-7320 or missing report office at 562-570-1425.