Voice of 'mystery mom' released in found toddler case
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Police still don't know the identity of a boy found last month in California.
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BAKERSFIELD, California (CNN) -- Police searching for the family, and identity, of a toddler found wandering the streets of Bakersfield last month released a recorded message Thursday from a woman who claims to be the boy's mother.
A translation of the phone message released by the police said the woman left her son because she and the boy were "being mistreated by my husband."
The woman called lead detective Herman Calda on May 23 and left a message on his voice mail. She asked Calda to take care of her 2-year-old son.
The police announced four days later that they had received the message but did not release the recording. Investigators believe the recording is from the child's mother because she provided unreleased information -- including a description of his clothes -- that proved to be accurate.
The woman told Calda that she was "sick with cancer" and could "die any minute."
"If something happens to me, I don't want nothing to happen to my baby," the woman said. "If he could be adopted, I would appreciate it."
"I don't want my baby to be mistreated anymore. My baby is very mistreated. In your hands, I leave him, sir. Thank you."
The woman said the boy's name is Jesus Perez Florez and not "Mateo," as police had called him. The confusion apparently stemmed from the fact that the man who found the boy was named Mateo, police said.
Bakersfield Police said they are still following leads to try to determine the woman's identity, and called for help from the general public, who are asked to call (661) 327-7111 with information.
The boy is currently in state care.
