Family searching for ‘clear answer’ after 20-year-old missing woman found in coma at hospital

HOUSTON – The family of Genesis Barrando wants clear answers on what happened to her. The family said her whereabouts were unknown for nearly a week until she was found in a coma at Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital.

On Saturday, a family member said that investigators called and said there was a person at the hospital who matched the description of Genesis. Her mother Olga Barrando confirmed that it was her.

“She just wants a clear answer on what happened to Genesis on that night,” said Genesis’s step-brother Jason Hernandez.

Houston police said the 20-year-old last made contact on May 15 near South Loop West and South Main street.

According to Texas Equusearch, Genesis was hit by a truck the night she went missing. She has several broken bones and some kind of brain injury. The family said she is in the ICU but is stable.

“I have no clue who called 911 because the police told me it was a hit and run,” her mother said.

The family said things are not adding up about the case.

“I don’t know what to believe. I am confused,” her mother said.

Family members found Genesis’s shoes on the 610 Freeway near Cullen Blvd on Saturday. The location is just 4.5 miles away from the Mobile gas station where family members said a coworker dropped off Genesis after they hung out and got into an argument.

Genesis’s mother said that same night she received a message from the coworker asking her if Genesis could spend the night.

“If someone saw something or knows what happened that night please call the police,” her mother said.

The family said they haven’t heard much from the police regarding the case. Genesis’s mother said she has received inappropriate and hateful messages. They’re hoping Genesis will remember what happened when she wakes up.

“She is not breathing on her own,” Danna Barrando wrote on Facebook. “She is in ICU. Special prayer request for my mother-in-law... Please continue sharing. We need prayers.”

Searching for Genesis

On Friday, her sister Bess Barrando said she cannot stop thinking about her.

“The only thing we want is for her to come home. We love her so much,” Bess said.

Bess said Genesis recently started a new job at the George R. Brown Convention Center and never came home.

“She asked my mom for permission to go eat with coworkers and a manager after her shift. My mom was fine and said okay,” she said.

Bess said her sister, who is underage, was hanging out with an older woman and two men.

“She was drinking and having strong liquor,” Bess said.

Bess said Genesis got into the car with the woman who was supposed to take her home. She said they got into an argument and the woman dropped her off near 9805 Main Street.

“That’s it that’s the last things we know left my sister there knowing it was already midnight,” Bess said.

Bess said that same night, the woman sent a message to Genesis’s mom asking her if she could spend the night.

“It didn’t make sense, how does she know my mother’s first name and telling her I dropped your daughter off at a gas station,” Bess said.

If you know anything about this case give Houston Police a call at 832-394-1840 or call 1st Priority Search and Recovery at 979-645-1177.


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