Boy, 11, missing from school bus stop

An 11-year-old Bradenton boy is missing after not getting on his school bus, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office press release.

Nathaniel Garza was last seen at his bus stop near 3500 14th St. W. before going to school Tuesday morning, according to the release.

He is 4 feet, 5 inches tall, weighs 70 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing blue shorts, a baby-blue shirt and black Vans shoes.

Garza’s grandmother Dora said this was the fourth time he has run away since 2015. The last time was on Aug. 14.

She said Nathaniel told his 9-year-old cousin “not to worry” when he didn’t get on the school bus.

Dora said she lectures him every time he comes home, but he keeps to himself. “My talking seems like it’s not doing any good,” she said.

“I feel bad. I worry,” she said. “I think that something might happen.”

Since he spent a year at a foster home after being taken away from his mother, the grandmother said she has seen a big change in the 11-year-old. She said he used to never miss a day of school, but feels that his older friends are a bad influence and might be inciting this behavior.

“Nathaniel is a good kid,” she said, “but sometimes I don’t understand him.”

Anyone with information of Garza’s whereabouts can contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011 or their local law enforcement agency.

This story was originally published August 17, 2016 at 7:02 AM with the headline "Boy, 11, missing from school bus stop."