Two younger kids who went lacking after their mom was discovered lifeless inside a Sacramento dwelling final week could possibly be in Southern California, authorities mentioned.
Investigators suspect the youngsters’s father, 38-year-old Camron Lee, might have dropped off Athena Lee, who turns 4 this month, and 3-year-old Mateo Lee someplace on his technique to Mexico.
“We would like everybody from Sacramento to the border to maintain an eye fixed out for these children,” mentioned Officer Anthony Gamble, a spokesman for the Sacramento Police Division. “In the end, our No. 1 concern proper now’s finding these kids.”
Shortly earlier than 7:30 p.m. on July 8, officers responding to a medical name discovered the youngsters’s mom, Angelica Marie Bravo, 28, lifeless inside Lee’s dwelling on Didcot Circle in north Sacramento. Bravo was present in a bath, in accordance with the Sacramento Bee. Authorities are nonetheless making an attempt to find out how she died.
Within the meantime, investigators are attempting to find the youngsters and converse with Lee, Gamble mentioned.
Investigators have tried to achieve Lee for days with out success. Authorities haven’t characterised him as a suspect or particular person of curiosity in Bravo’s demise.
Bravo’s 18-year-old brother, Gil, described his sister’s relationship with Lee as “on and off” and mentioned he was abusive and controlling. She would conceal bruises from members of the family, he mentioned in an interview. It isn’t clear whether or not the alleged abuse was ever reported to regulation enforcement.
Gil Bravo mentioned his sister had beforehand lived in the home on Didcot Circle with Lee, who goes by the nickname “Main,” and their kids. However the pair broke up late final yr and he or she moved out, he mentioned.
Angelica Bravo’s mom, Daybreak Bodea, instructed the Bee that her daughter mentioned leaving the connection made it really feel like she was “tearing the household aside.”
“I had been praying and praying and praying that she would get out of that scenario for therefore lengthy, and when she lastly obtained out, it was like, ‘Thank God, that is the beginning of her new life’,” Bodea instructed the newspaper.
In April, Sacramento County filed a case in household regulation courtroom itemizing Lee because the respondent to ascertain paternity — a typically mandatory step to pursue baby help in circumstances the place the dad and mom aren’t married. Further particulars about that case weren’t instantly obtainable.
Gil Bravo mentioned he believes the youngsters could possibly be within the San Diego space as a result of Lee had talked about having buddies there. However Gamble mentioned investigators hadn’t but narrowed their search to a selected county.
Final week, authorities discovered that U.S. Customs and Border Safety cameras had captured the grey 2023 Honda Passport that Lee was believed to be driving towards Mexico. It isn’t clear whether or not the youngsters have been with him on the time.
“We imagine there’s a possible that these children have been dropped off someplace in Southern California,” Gamble mentioned, declining to offer extra particulars as a result of the investigation was ongoing.
The final time Gil Bravo noticed his sister was whereas celebrating his highschool commencement simply two days earlier than she died. Bravo mentioned his sister was like a mom to him and their youthful brother. She was all the time there to have fun his accomplishments and push him to succeed, he mentioned.
After her commencement from highschool, Angelica Bravo started a profession as a hairstylist, which had lengthy been a ardour of hers. She labored most lately as a cosmetology teacher on the Blended Institute in Sacramento, the place she was often called Miss Angel. After her demise, flowers and candles coated the sidewalk exterior the varsity.
“Love and JUSTICE for our Angel,” the varsity wrote in an Instagram publish. “Proceed to share her story in order that her infants are discovered and JUSTICE IS SERVED! We love and miss you deeply Miss Angel.”
Bravo’s oldest daughter, 12-year-old Nathalia, is devastated and struggling to grasp her mom’s demise and the sudden lack of her siblings, Gil Bravo mentioned.
“I discovered so many classes from Angelica and he or she guided me down the best path,” he mentioned. “I simply need my niece and nephew again secure. I do know she would need me to guard them so I’m simply hoping and praying they’re OK.”
Anybody with info is requested to name the Sacramento Police Division at (916) 808-0560 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-4357.
