Helix Student Turns Up Safe a Day After Family Reported Him Missing

A 17-year-old student at Helix Charter High School—missing for 18 hours—has turned up safe at home, according to his family, who had posted fliers with his photo at Grossmont Center and elsewhere.

Steve Salcido, who will be a senior in the fall, had spent the night near the museums at Balboa Park after suffering an asthma attack and passing out, said his aunt, Alejandro Puente of La Mesa.

“He came back on his own,” Puente said.

Steve took a trolley home, she said.

Puente said the family was grateful to the La Mesa Police Department for acting quickly to initiate a search.

Steve’s image was on fliers, which were posted by his cousin and others at Grossmont Center, including inside the General Nutrition Center. The fliers listed Puente's phone number and that of the La Mesa Police Department.