Alabama authorities reported that federal agencies and the FBI have joined the search for Aurelia Choc Cac and her children, Niurka, 17, and Anthony, 2, who have been missing for several days.

The Mobile County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) confirmed that it is working with Homeland Security Investigations, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the FBI to locate the Guatemalan family as soon as possible.

The victims were last seen on the evening of Friday, January 30, in Mobile County, and neighbors are expressing deep concern for their safety.

Aurelia's eldest daughter, Lorena, spoke with NBC affiliate WPMI in Mobile, pleading for help in finding her family. "I'm waiting for them to come home with the baby," she said. “Whoever did this, please bring my little brother home.”

Traces of blood found in the house

Officers responding to a call about the family's absence found a disturbing scene in the home: there was blood in several parts of the house, although not in large quantities, indicating “at least some kind of struggle.”

However, there were no signs of forced entry. Mobile phones and money were left in the house. In addition, the mattress in the master bedroom was missing, along with the laundry basket, while other items in the bedroom “appeared to have been thrown or overturned,” according to authorities. Sheriff Paul Burch of the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office called the scene “highly unusual” and noted that investigators are examining all possibilities, including the hypothesis that the family was taken against their will and may be in danger. Initially, Anthony’s father, identified as Juan Garcia, was taken into custody, but was released after his alibi was confirmed.Authorities say the case is a top priority and that all available resources are being used.

They received deportation orders

Maurice and Kim Simmons, neighbors of the family for four years, said they had become like grandparents to the children. Maurice said they helped take them to school, cooked together, and attended family gatherings. They reported her missing after the vehicle that took Aurelia to work stopped to pick her up and didn't find her.

Maurice said he immediately knew something was wrong. "We text each other almost every day. We talk all the time. We're very close to them. They're very close to us."

Authorities said Aurelia and her 17-year-old daughter, a junior at Theodore High School, received final deportation orders last April.

State police have been actively searching the area, including with a helicopter. “We are considering every aspect, every possibility,” Burch said. “We hope we can act quickly enough to find them alive.”