Anguished Bronx Family Searches For Father Missing For Nearly Two Weeks

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It was another night of uncertainty and anguish for a Bronx family Wednesday, as their loved one -- the father of a little girl -- vanished nearly two weeks ago.

With few clues, they are now desperate for help.

"I'm scared. I'm scared because we miss him dearly," Hector Horta, the missing man's brother told CBS2's Valerie Castro.

Hector said his 34-year-old brother, Javier Horta, hasn't been seen or heard from since March 25.

"This is not normal behavior for Javier Horta. This is not my brother. He's missing," Horta said.

Hector said his brother was with a friend the night he disappeared.

They were leaving another friend's apartment at 1420 Noble Ave. when Horta realized he had left his wallet and cell phone upstairs.

"So he tells his friend to go on home, get in the cab, and I have to return to get my stuff. That was the last he was ever seen. He never appeared at the place to pick up his belongings," Hector said.

The family said they've agonized ever since.

"The worst part is not knowing anything. We have no new information," Hector said.

Hector said his brother is a well loved employee at the Jerome Park Branch Library.

He's also a devoted father to his 3-year-old girl. Their close relationship evident in family snapshots posted all over the fridge.

Friends and family have plastered the neighborhood where Horta was last seen with fliers. Residents there say they wish they knew more.

"We're like what happened? Where could he have gone? How does somebody just disappear?" a neighbor said.

Friends and family plan to hold a vigil in the 1400 block of Noble Avenue, the last place Javier was scene. It's set for Saturday at 7 p.m.