Missing California mother Danielle Becker Friedland was found in Houston a week after she disappeared from the airport following a six-week stay in a mental health clinic.
Friedland, 36, from the Bay Area city of Piedmont, checked her luggage for her flight at the Houston airport the day before Thanksgiving, left her phone and credit cards behind, then took a taxi and disappeared.
She had just been discharged after spending six weeks at the Menninger Clinic in Houston and was flying home to her husband Jordan – who led the search – and their two children, ages two and five.
“We are relieved that with the assistance of the Houston Police Department last night around 2:30 a.m., we were able to locate Dani, make contact with her, and she is now safe,” the family said in a statement. I LOVE.
“We wanted to express our deepest gratitude to the Houston community for everything you did to help us find Dani. We were welcomed with open arms and without exception received help, love and incredible support.”
Danielle Becker Friedland, 36, who went missing after spending six weeks at the Menninger Clinic in Houston, was found Wednesday morning
The 36-year-old, who stands five feet tall and weighs more than 100 pounds, was last seen in this photo at Houston airport a week earlier, after leaving her luggage, phone and credit cards behind.
Jordan Friedland has traveled to Texas to help search for his wife who disappeared the day before Thanksgiving
The family said: ‘We are so grateful to all of you and many more people who helped us during the most difficult week of our lives. As we take the next steps for Dani and the rest of the family, we ask for privacy so we can begin to heal.”
Her family said she was found safe, but no further details had been released about where she was found or what led to her disappearance.
Friends and family flew to Houston to help with the weeklong search. On Tuesday, the group searched along Buffalo Bayou near Memorial Park after receiving a tip.
“Dani has been dealing with an unexpected but ongoing mental health issue for several months, and we just love and support her,” Jordan told KTRK.
“Our children miss her more than anything in the world. She is the most amazing mother in the world and the world is a better place with her, mother, friend and community member.”
Authorities said Friedland had been diagnosed with depression, mood disorder, psychosis, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
She is about five feet tall, weighs 100 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes.
Friedland was last seen wearing a blue and orange striped puffer jacket, dark pants, a black backpack and a beaded bracelet.
She left her luggage, phone and credit cards behind and took a debit card and $160 cash with her when she took a taxi.
Jordan described Friedland as a wonderful mother to their two children, ages two and five
Friedland checked her luggage for her flight at the Houston airport the day before Thanksgiving and then took a taxi and has not been seen since
Friends and family have flown to Houston to assist in the search after sightings of her downtown
“We have reason to believe she is downtown,” Jordan Friedland told the newspaper San Francisco Chronicle.
“There are still friends and family out there searching and we will not give up until she is found.”
Jordan traveled to Texas – his first time in the state – to try to help the search local news station KHOU that there had been several unconfirmed sightings of her, but nothing certain.
“Any help we can get would be extremely helpful,” said Will True, a family friend.
“There are many family and friends who have flown in from all over the country to find Dani and make sure she is safe.”
Jordan said they focused on homeless encampments in the city after she pointed them out, and worked with homeless shelters, churches and community groups.
“My biggest fear, honestly, is Dani’s safety,” he said.
“One of the scariest things for me is that Dani doesn’t know Houston. She has no friends or family here. She doesn’t have her luggage, her credit cards or her phone and I can’t imagine how scary that must be.”
Jordan and Dani met fifteen years ago when they were both students at the University of Michigan.
“We have a two-year-old and a five-year-old and she is the best mother in the world and their world won’t be the same without her,” he said.
Jordan and his friends and family have been scouring the streets of Houston
The Friedlands are pictured on their wedding day after meeting as students at the University of Michigan
The Menninger Clinic said they were saddened by the news but could not share details about her condition.
“We are aware of reports of this unfortunate event,” the clinic said in a statement.
“Due to patient confidentiality, we cannot confirm the status of any patient or provide information without the patient’s consent.
‘We are deeply saddened by this situation and our thoughts go out to the family. We all hope for her safe return.”
A hospital spokesperson told DailyMail.com that the general process at the facility involves releasing discharge information to individuals the patient has agreed to receive, which may include family members.