The Mobile County Sheriff's Office is still searching for a mother and her two children, who they believe were taken from their Theodore home against their will. In the meantime, the sheriff said online rumors are diverting attention from what could be a real tragedy.
Aurelia Choc Cac, 40, her daughter Niurka, 17, and her two-year-old son, Anthony, were last seen one week ago.
Federal and state authorities joined the search and deployed K9 search teams on Thursday. The dogs searched the wooded area surrounding the home.
Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said Choc is originally from Guatemala and that she received final deportation orders in April 2025. The information prompted online rumors that immigration officials took the family. Burch said claims that ICE took the family are unfounded and distracting from the case.
"That's kind of taken away from the seriousness of the investigation," he said. "You know, we've got a missing family here."
Burch said the case is complex and unlike any he has ever seen, and he wants the public's attention to be on reporting any clues to authorities.
"This case really has me perplexed," said Burch. "It's unlike any case I have encountered before."
A command center has been set up at the sheriff's office. It is staffed with local and federal agents to ensure proper communication.
In the home, detectives discovered large amounts of blood, cell phones, cash and noticed a missing mattress.
Forensic analysis on electronics found in the home is underway, but Burch told 1819 News that obtaining data is a process. They have to obtain warrants, submit the devices for analysis and "crack the code" to gain access. He said detectives are also trying to obtain surveillance footage from nearby residences and businesses.
Investigators are facing language barriers as they interview some of Choc's family members, but he said they are concerned and are being cooperative.
Among family members providing information are Choc's daughter in Wilmer and other family members in Florida.
Choc's ex-boyfriend has been cleared as a person of interest. Burch said recent interactions between the couple give him hope that the family may have returned to Guatemala, although he said, based on the evidence, that is unlikely.
"That's my hope that they decided to leave," Burch explained. "The father of the two-year-old had made threats to come get the child recently and so, you know, maybe they left to avoid that."
Anyone with information on the disappearances of the family is asked to call the Mobile County Sheriff's Office.
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