California police released an Amber Alert late Wednesday for four missing boys after the body of a woman believed to be their mother was found in the family's car, CBS LA reported.
The body was found in the trunk of a black Honda parked on the corner of Harding Avenue and 3rd Street earlier Wednesday after investigators received a tip.
A coroner is to determine if the victim is Erica Perez, who along with her husband Daniel and their four sons were reported missing from their Montebello home on Tuesday, CBS LA reported. Police would not comment on a cause of death.
The car was found less than a mile from the family's home, Captain Luis Lopez said, according to Fox News.
"We are concerned for their safety," Lopez said of the boys, who range in age from 6 to 11. Their names are Jordan, 11, Jaiden, 9, Tristan, 8, and Alex, 6.
Both parents are not answering their cell phones and Daniel Perez has not shown up to work for a few days. He has been named a person of interest in the case. His wife's sister, Pamela Valdez, pleaded with her brother-in-law to let them know if the children are safe.
"We just want to know where the kids are. Please Danny, bring the kids back. Just drop them off at a fire station somewhere, don't hurt them, please. They're innocent," Valdez said.
The husband was last seen driving a black Toyota Camry with a California license plate, CBS LA reported. Police said Erica and Daniel had a history of domestic violence.
Erica and Daniel also have a fifth son who is staying with his grandmother.
