Family fearful for missing Hoke County woman, son
HOKE COUNTY (WTVD) -- A 33-year old Hoke County mother and her 3-year-old son disappeared last week, and family members say they have no idea where they are.
Joey Arevalo, the missing woman's father, is frantic.
"This is a scary feeling," Arevalo said Wednesday. "My daughter, she has never been a day or two without being around me."
Lakiay Arevalo and her son Noah haven't been seen or heard from since Feb. 8. Initially, Hoke County investigators thought she had left voluntarily, but now they aren't sure.
Nearly half a dozen Hoke County Sheriff's detectives, as well as investigators in Cumberland County and upstate New York are trying to find the missing mother and son. So far, they have not found any evidence of foul play, but family members say they don't believe Lakiay just up and took off with her 3-year-old, leaving her youngest son, Ricky, behind.
Family members said Noah is asthmatic and autistic and needs medication.
Carmen "Connie" Arevalo said her granddaughter has never taken off like this.
"In my heart, I am scared," she said. "This is the first time in her 33 years that's she has been out of contact with me all this time."
The family has posted her disappearance on Facebook. Hundreds of friends from New York to North Carolina have responded, but so far no one has seen the missing mother and son, leaving a frantic father and grandmother in Hoke County, crying, praying and keeping the faith.
And begging for help.
"I'm afraid," Connie Arevalo said. "I can't sleep, I can't eat. I miss little Noah, and I miss you. Call and let me know that you are safe."
Joey Arevalo says he is about as frantic and fearful as a father can get.
"You see other people go through this and you don't think it's going to come to your door, and it has," he said.
Family members say Lakiay does not own a car.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Hoke County Sheriff's Office.
