The California Department of Justice is asking the public’s help in locating the family of a 5-year-old boy who was found almost a year ago wandering the streets of Mexicali.
The boy, identified as Michael Anthony Perez Hernandez, was spotted in May in the downtown area of the border city by a woman who dropped him off with social services officials in Mexicali.
About 10 months after Michael was found Mexicali authorities contacted Children Welfare Services in San Diego, which got in touch with the Department of Justice unit for help in finding the boy’s family, a press statement from state Attorney General Kamala Harris’ office reported.
Mexico’s equivalent of Child Protective Services has been caring for Michael since he was found, state Attorney General spokeswoman Michelle Gregory said.
It’s not known for how long Michael was in the streets but Gregory said it didn’t appear to be for very long.
Michael was not listed in the California Missing and Unidentified Persons System, officials said.
It is believed Michael has family in Calexico or somewhere else in the Imperial Valley since he spoke of local landmarks to Mexicali authorities, Gregory said.
The boy identified his parents as Jorge Perez and Evelyn Hernandez and his grandparents as Angela and Juan, and said he has four siblings, the release read.
Michael stands 3 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 40 pounds.
Anyone with information about Michael’s family or their whereabouts, can call Special Agent Guillermo Auyon or San Diego County Child Welfare Specialist Francisco Llerandi at 858-514-6911.
Staff Writer Silvio J. Panta can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at spanta@ivpressonline.com
The boy, identified as Michael Anthony Perez Hernandez, was spotted in May in the downtown area of the border city by a woman who dropped him off with social services officials in Mexicali.
About 10 months after Michael was found Mexicali authorities contacted Children Welfare Services in San Diego, which got in touch with the Department of Justice unit for help in finding the boy’s family, a press statement from state Attorney General Kamala Harris’ office reported.
Mexico’s equivalent of Child Protective Services has been caring for Michael since he was found, state Attorney General spokeswoman Michelle Gregory said.
It’s not known for how long Michael was in the streets but Gregory said it didn’t appear to be for very long.
Michael was not listed in the California Missing and Unidentified Persons System, officials said.
It is believed Michael has family in Calexico or somewhere else in the Imperial Valley since he spoke of local landmarks to Mexicali authorities, Gregory said.
The boy identified his parents as Jorge Perez and Evelyn Hernandez and his grandparents as Angela and Juan, and said he has four siblings, the release read.
Michael stands 3 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 40 pounds.
Anyone with information about Michael’s family or their whereabouts, can call Special Agent Guillermo Auyon or San Diego County Child Welfare Specialist Francisco Llerandi at 858-514-6911.
Staff Writer Silvio J. Panta can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at spanta@ivpressonline.com
