The family of Rudy Farias, a Texas man found eight years after he was reported missing, says Houston police knew his mother was abusing him but did nothing to step in.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Janie Santana reported her son, then 17, missing in 2015, saying Farias had gone out to walk his dogs and never returned. Earlier this month, Farias was found unconscious outside the Immaculate Heart Church in southeast Houston. He had cuts, bruising, and a bloody head.
So far, Farias has not spoken much, according to reports.
Lt. Christopher Zamora with the Houston Police Department said that both Farias and his mother had engaged with Houston Police officers multiple times within the past eight years. However, they both allegedly supplied officers with false names and birth dates, aiming to mislead them and ensure that Rudy would remain missing.
According to FOX7 Austin, Farias’ cousin Michelle Rodriguez, said during a press statement this week that the Houston Police Department was aware that Santana was abusing Farias but allowed it to continue.
“They are covering up what they knew years ago, and they didn’t want to come out,” Rodriguez said.
“Prior to Rudy’s disappearance, his so-called disappearance, his mother had been seen by my late grandma causing abuse to Rudy sexually, physically, mentally, this did not just start when Janie reported Rudy missing.”
Community activist Quanell X echoed the sentiment, adding that police knew about the case details “for years” after family members reported abuse, but failed to intervene.
“I talked to the investigator that has been over this case for years, she told me things that she said she reported to HPD over the years, and she wanted HPD to investigate the mother, she told them she thought the mother was involved,” he said.
Quanell X added that Santana allegedly raised funds to help search for her son but ended up using the money to take herself on vacations.
The district attorney ultimately decided against pressing charges against Santana. Police said since Farias was never actually missing and has not revealed any abuse so far, there is no reason to charge Santana at this point.
Police Chief Troy Finner added that are currently treating Farias as a “potential victim.”
“I’m not going to say he’s a victim or not,” Finner said. “We’re going to treat this just as we do with any potential victim or victim, and we’re going to give respect to everybody that’s involved.”
Finner added that Farias is safe with his mother and is now a “grown man.”
The family, however, is pushing for justice for Farias. Rodriguez added that she thinks Santana should be arrested.
“Janie needs to be brought in,” she said. “It’s all going to come out, you can’t hide, nothing is going to be hidden, so whatever you think you can hide, good luck it’s coming out.”
Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Featured image: Rudy Farias in 2015/Texas Center for the Missing]
