BELIZE CITY, Mon. Oct. 22, 2018– A mother and her child have been missing for almost a week now and police are still no closer to finding them.

On Thursday, October 18, at around 1:30 p.m., Emperatriz Portillo, 53, a business owner of #128 East Collet Canal, reported that two days earlier, on Tuesday, October 16, at 7 a.m., her friend, Ruby Petino, age unknown,  left their residence, and she has not seen her since then.

According to police, Petino, who resided at Portillo’s home, left the house with her baby, who is only 1 year and 8 months old, and headed to her work place at Mile 8 on the George Price Highway. Since then, Petino and her baby have not returned.

Police have searched her workplace, but no one had seen her that day. They also visited areas where Petino frequented, but have not found any clues.

Petino is a Guatemalan national who had recently come to Belize and was staying with Portillo.

Police also checked the western border, but have found no signs that Petino went back to Guatemala. However, there is always the possibility that she crossed over illegally.

Petino is of Hispanic descent, slim-built, and about 5 feet tall. She has long, wavy hair, a round face, and brown eyes. Police are currently investigating her disappearance.