A Cuban mother living in South Florida is reaching out to the public for assistance in locating her teenage son, who vanished nearly two months ago in Cape Coral, Lee County.
Seventeen-year-old Adriano Benítez Martí was last seen on October 28, as he was heading home from school.
In a heartfelt video shared by journalist Mario Pentón, the mother, visibly drained and marked by uncertainty, recounted her ordeal.
“I am making this video to request help, as my underage son, 17-year-old Adriano Benítez Martí, has been missing since October 28 of this year, 2025,” she stated at the beginning of the recording.
“He Never Came Back”
The mother detailed how she personally dropped her son off at school that morning, as was their daily routine. When work commitments prevented her from picking him up, she would arrange for an Uber to bring him home.
This usual routine marked her last direct contact with her son. “On the day he disappeared, he called me and said, ‘I’m heading home, I already called the Uber,’ and he never came back,” she recalled.
The search has been a distressing journey, hindered by red tape and a lack of communication from local authorities.
She reported the disappearance in Cape Coral, and a detective was assigned to the case. “He came to my house, took samples from my son’s toothbrush and comb, asked several questions, and took photos of my son,” she elaborated.
Growing frustrated with the lack of progress, she reached out to the AMBER Alert system on her own. “I’ve been to the police station multiple times and received no answers. I went to the sheriff’s office, but still nothing. They contacted some of his friends, but no one knows anything,” she lamented.
“I Can’t Sleep Peacefully”
Through her pain, she painted a picture of her son, hoping those who see it might recognize the polite and affectionate boy.
“He was raised with love. I’m a single mother and raised him lovingly, just like my other children. He’s a calm child with excellent grades, obedient, a homebody who always asked for permission to go anywhere… and suddenly, he’s gone,” she expressed.
The uncertainty is overwhelming: “I don’t think the worst, but I feel my son is not okay. I can’t sleep peacefully.”
Uber Questions Arise
Much discussion on social media has focused on the teen's use of Uber.
The mother mentioned that Adriano used the app when she was unable to pick him up, sparking concerns about safety protocols.
One user questioned, “Why don’t they collect Uber data for every trip if he was traveling alone?”
Others pointed out there’s a feature called Uber Teens, designed specifically for minors, where family members can track the journey in real time and receive driver information.
Some suggested that the Uber driver should be the first person authorities look into.
This aspect has fueled the public’s call for a more thorough investigation and greater cooperation from the ride-sharing platform.
Public Reaction: Judgment and Empathy
The video’s release sparked a wave of comments.
Many expressed shock, support, and solidarity, while others criticized the mother, suggesting she seemed “too calm.”
“I wouldn’t be this calm; I’d be frantic. When my kids are late, I can’t handle the worry,” one commenter stated.
Another added, “My son is 32, and if he didn’t check in daily, I’d be beside myself. That mom is too calm; I’d be a wreck.”
However, many defended her.
“Everyone shows their pain differently and according to their character”; “We’re so used to drama we don’t appreciate composure”; “Sometimes the calmest person is suffering the most inside,” were among the supportive remarks.
One comment captured the collective sentiment: “This mother is facing a nightmare every parent fears. She has no time for tears; it’s the moment to act with calm and courage. In private, she cries like any mother would. She needs God’s strength and the community’s help to find her son, who will always be her baby.”
As of this article’s publication, no further details about the case have emerged.
Finding Adriano: Key Questions
What steps has the mother taken to find her son?
She filed a missing person report in Cape Coral, worked with a detective, and contacted the AMBER Alert system. She has also visited police stations and the sheriff’s office multiple times.
Why is the use of Uber significant in this case?
Adriano used Uber to travel home when his mother couldn't pick him up, raising concerns about safety protocols, especially for minors using the service alone.
What public reactions have been noted regarding the mother's demeanor?
While some have criticized her for appearing too calm, others have defended her, noting that people express distress differently and that her composure might mask deeper suffering.