Two months after a Hays County toddler vanished, deputies are asking the public to help find 2-year-old Sherlock Vasile Jones, last reported in Buda in August and believed to be with his non-custodial mother, 34-year-old Jewel Ashley Jones, according to the Hays County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities say Sherlock has blonde hair, brown eyes and fair skin. He stands about 3 feet tall and weighs roughly 39 pounds. Investigators believe he may be in Marble Falls or possibly out of state. The sheriff’s office describes Jewel Jones as a white woman, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, about 120 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. She is the subject of an active warrant for Interference with Child Custody in connection with this case, the agency said.

What investigators say

The sheriff’s office has not publicly detailed recent sightings, but emphasizes that the case remains active and that detectives are pursuing leads, according to the Hays County Sheriff's Office. Because the child has been missing since August, investigators are accounting for movement across jurisdictions and the possibility of interstate travel.

Texas law allows for an Amber Alert when a child under 18 is believed to have been abducted and is in imminent danger, a tool managed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Whether to issue an alert depends on verifiable facts at hand. In family-related cases, the Texas Family Code distinguishes custodial rights; when a non-custodial parent takes a child without legal authority, law enforcement may seek an Interference with Child Custody warrant — which Hays County has obtained here — and coordinate across county and state lines as needed.

Searchers ask for tips

Detectives are urging residents across Central Texas and beyond to report credible, time-stamped information, especially in and around Buda and Marble Falls or along major travel corridors. Officials ask the public not to approach individuals they believe to be involved; instead, contact authorities immediately.

Provide tips to:

  • Detective Keith Kopec, Hays County Sheriff's Office — Phone: 512-393-2125; Email: Keith.Kopec@hayscountytx.gov
  • Hays County Crime Stoppers — Anonymous tip line: 1-800-324-8477

When possible, include precise locations, times, vehicle descriptions and license plates, and any photos or video that can help verify a sighting. Crime Stoppers allows tipsters to remain anonymous.

The local context

Hays County is one of the fastest-growing regions in Texas — its population has climbed above 290,000, up more than 20% since 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Rapid growth stretches public safety resources and broadens the footprint of searches, with more neighborhoods, highways and businesses to canvass. At the same time, countywide violent and property crime rates remain below national averages, data compiled by Crime Explorer indicates — a reminder that missing-child investigations here hinge less on overall crime levels and more on swift coordination and community awareness.

Buda sits along the I-35 corridor north of San Marcos, with easy access to regional highways that connect to Marble Falls and beyond. That geography, along with the time that has elapsed, makes early, accurate tips critical to narrowing the search.

Tools that can accelerate leads

Recent large-scale Texas search operations show how multi-agency coordination and persistent public alerts can quickly generate breakthroughs. In July, an all-hands effort during catastrophic flooding dramatically reduced the number of missing people in Kerr County within days, as reported by Reuters and later by Axios. While those incidents were disaster-driven and distinct from family-custody cases, the lesson is similar: broad, repeated messaging and coordinated checks across jurisdictions move cases forward.

Community outreach can also matter. Digital billboards and other high-visibility signs that display missing-child information have been used across Texas to boost tips, including campaigns highlighted by Click2Houston. Pairing those efforts with clear reporting channels — Detective Kopec’s line and Crime Stoppers — can help convert public attention into actionable information.

How the community can help

  • Share only verified, time-stamped information. If you think you’ve seen Sherlock or Jewel Jones, note the exact time, location and any vehicle details.
  • Do not engage or attempt to detain anyone. Safety is paramount; let law enforcement handle contacts.
  • Keep the official contacts handy and pass them along to friends and family in Central Texas and neighboring states.

The case’s human stakes are unmistakable: a 2-year-old missing for weeks, a family and community waiting for answers, and investigators working against the clock. Hays County authorities are asking anyone who may have seen Sherlock Vasile Jones — or who knows where Jewel Ashley Jones might be — to come forward now. Even a small, well-documented sighting could be the lead that brings the child home.

Tips can be submitted to Detective Keith Kopec at 512-393-2125 or Keith.Kopec@hayscountytx.gov, and to Hays County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-324-8477. According to the Hays County Sheriff's Office, all credible leads will be followed up as the investigation continues.