Deportation Orders Surface — Three Missing, Blood Found

Yellow police line tape with Do Not Cross.

A mother and her two children vanished from their Alabama home after what investigators describe as a violent struggle, leaving behind blood, phones, cash, and a chilling mystery that has federal authorities scrambling for answers.

Story Snapshot

Aurelia Choc Cac, 40, and her children Niurka, 17, and Anthony, 2, disappeared from their Theodore, Alabama home on January 30-31, 2026, with blood and signs of struggle found throughout the residence
Investigators discovered unusual evidence including a missing mattress and hamper, with no forced entry but cell phones and cash left behind, indicating the family was taken against their will
The family faced deportation orders from April 2025, raising questions about whether immigration status made them vulnerable targets while federal agencies join the search
Multi-agency investigation involving local sheriff, FBI, and Homeland Security continues with no suspects identified after initial person of interest was cleared

Disturbing Discovery in Quiet Neighborhood

Maurice Simmons arrived at his neighbor’s home on Ben Hamilton Road Saturday morning, January 31, 2026, expecting to drive Aurelia Choc Cac to work as usual. Instead, he found an empty house with signs of violence that would launch a multi-agency investigation. Mobile County Sheriff’s deputies discovered blood throughout the residence, scattered clothing, and clear indicators of a struggle. The family’s cell phones and cash remained untouched, suggesting they left unwillingly. Most disturbing to investigators was the absence of a mattress and hamper, items rarely removed during abductions.

Timeline of a Family’s Disappearance

Simmons last saw the family around 7:30 p.m. Friday evening after taking them shopping for baptism clothes. The family planned to attend a Sunday baptism, giving no indication they intended to leave. When Aurelia failed to appear for her Saturday morning work ride, Simmons entered the home and immediately called 911. Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch noted the scene’s unusual characteristics: blood present but not in large quantities, no forced entry, and the missing mattress suggested someone familiar with the family orchestrated the disappearance. Authorities quickly determined this was not a voluntary departure.

Immigration Status Raises Troubling Questions

Aurelia and her teenage daughter Niurka faced final deportation orders issued in April 2025, while two-year-old Anthony holds U.S. citizenship. The Guatemalan family lived quietly in Theodore for four years, with Aurelia painting new construction homes for DR Horton without owning a vehicle. This immigration vulnerability raises concerns about whether the family became targets due to their legal status. The involvement of Homeland Security Investigations alongside the FBI suggests authorities are exploring whether the disappearance has international dimensions or connections to their pending deportation.

Federal Resources Join Desperate Search

Sheriff Burch leads a multi-agency effort including state and federal partners, reviewing neighborhood surveillance footage and pursuing leads. Juan Antonio Garcia, Anthony’s father and Aurelia’s ex-boyfriend, was initially questioned in Texas on unrelated warrants but was cleared as a person of interest. The lack of forced entry points investigators toward someone known to the family. Lorena, Aurelia’s oldest daughter, made an emotional public plea: “Whoever did this, please bring my little brother home.” The Simmons family, who treated Aurelia’s children as adopted grandchildren, remains anxious for their safe return.

Community Fear and Unanswered Questions

Theodore residents face unsettling reality that a family could vanish violently from their quiet community without witnesses or clear suspects. The case highlights how pending deportation may have created dangerous vulnerabilities, leaving law-abiding immigrant families exposed to criminal elements. While authorities express hope for finding the family safe, the physical evidence paints a grim picture. The missing mattress suggests perpetrators attempted to conceal crime scene evidence, a calculated move indicating premeditation rather than spontaneous violence. Mobile County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information to call 251-574-8633 as the search continues.