BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 For Ana Maria Leal, the pain of losing her mother, Ana Barbosa, has not faded with time.<\/p>\n
Leal says the last connection she had with her mother was a voice message she still holds onto today. <\/p>\n
Now, standing outside the place she believes changed her family forever, she says the past two years have been filled with heartbreak and uncertainty.<\/p>\n
\u201cPraying all the time\u2026 I think about my mom every single day,\u201d Leal said. \u201cI don\u2019t even know how to act normal anymore. Every day is difficult. How could I not think about her?\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Anna Lorena Ocho Torres also known as Anna Barbosa was reported missing on May 6, 2024, near Norris Road and Ray Street outside Corner Shop Automotive Services. <\/p>\n
The missing persons report was filed by her husband, Fabian Barbosa, who owned the automotive shop.<\/p>\n
But Leal says she was not immediately informed that her mother was missing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t told my mother was missing for days,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd it wasn\u2019t even her husband who told me. I heard through family after my little sister said she hadn\u2019t seen my mom.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leal says one of the most troubling aspects of the disappearance is that her mother allegedly left behind personal belongings and important documents that she believes she would never voluntarily abandon.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer paperwork, her money, her birth certificate, her IDs all of that was left behind at my house,\u201d Leal said. \u201cI turned everything over to police.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also alleges there was a history of domestic violence in her mother\u2019s relationship and wants investigators to take a deeper look into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the domestic violence happened, I went to her house, packed up all her furniture into the back of my truck, and moved her into my house,\u201d Leal said.<\/p>\n
Domestic violence advocate Sarah Slavenas says the case raises significant concerns because of how unusual the disappearance appears to be.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis just doesn\u2019t happen,\u201d Slavenas said. \u201cIt\u2019s completely out of character. Just like her disappearance she would never leave her family, especially right before Mother\u2019s Day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Attempts to reach Fabian Barbosa regarding the allegations were unsuccessful.<\/p>\n
The Kern County Sheriff\u2019s Office says Anna Barbosa may have last been seen on May 7, 2024, driving a white pickup truck.<\/p>\n
As the investigation continues, Leal says she spends much of her time canvassing neighborhoods and speaking with community members, hoping someone knows something that could help bring closure to her family.<\/p>\n
When asked what justice would look like, her answer was simple.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole truth,\u201d Leal said. \u201cNo matter how painful it is, I want to know what happened to my mom. I think we deserve that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two years later, Barbosa\u2019s family says they remain convinced there is more to the story and are urging anyone with information to come forward and help break the silence.<\/p>\n
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