Pauline Sanchez and Rudy Farias.Photo:Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP, Texas Center for the Missing

Pauline Sanchez Rudy Farias

Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP, Texas Center for the Missing

Pauline Sanchez is speaking out about her 25-year-old nephew,Rudolph “Rudy” Farias,who authorities in Texas recently revealed had only been gone for one day rather than the eight years that the public believed he was missing.

According toNBC News,Sanchez shared that Farias no longer wants contact with his mother, Janie Santana, who Houston police say reported her then 17-year-old son missing in March 2015.

“He’s doing well but plans to stay away from his mother,” Sanchez said, per the outlet.

Santana said that her son was taken to the hospital after being found unresponsive outside of a church with cuts and bruises across his body,ABC 13reported, and she reportedly claimed he had been abused.

“My son Rudy is receiving the care he needs to overcome his trauma, but at this time, he is nonverbal and not able to communicate with us,” reads a previous family statement shared with ABC 13.

However, during aThursday afternoon press conference, police claimed that Farias had been living at home with his mother the whole time. An HPD Lieutenant said that Farias returned home the following day after vanishing while walking his dogs in 2015.

“He used to come in my garage, chill with my cousin, son and daughter,” neighbor Kisha Ross claimed, perABC 13.“That boy has never been missing.” Another neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed to ABC13 that he has seen Farias living at his mom’s home for years.

However, other neighbors claimed they haven’t seen Farias in more than eight years, according to NBC News.

At the time Farias was reported missing, he was suffering from depression after losing his brother in a motorcycle accident years earlier,NBC Newsreported, citing family members.

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Now, Sanchez says her nephew needs time to heal, away from his mother.

“His mentality, he needs to get well,” she told NBC News. “He’s going to be cautious. I still feel that he’s traumatized and gone through a lot. I still feel action should be taken.”

“He doesn’t want to see his mom and doesn’t want to go back to his mom,” Sanchez added.

No charges have been filed in the case and investigation remains ongoing.

source: people.com