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Missing South LA Woman's Family Desperate For Her Return

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) —A missing South Los Angeles woman's family is desperate for her safe return.

"I'm worried that she might be dead right now," said Marta Michel's 10-year-old son, David. "She might be hurt right now."

Michel, 49, was last seen by her loved ones around 5 p.m. Jan. 19 at their home in the 2800 block of Maple Street.

Her husband of 17 years and her three kids said she going to Casa India Restaurant in downtown Los Angeles, where she worked part-time.

"She seemed fine. She didn't seem worried," said the victim's son, Rigoberto. "She told me to take care and lock the doors. She just gave me a kiss and that's the last time I saw her."

Casa India employees said they saw Michel waiting for a bus on 4th Street and South Broadway just after 10 p.m. Saturday night.

Friend Sonia Alisco said, "We saw her at the bus stop. She's a nice person."

Michel's family said she always takes the bus to get around and her mysterious disappearance is unusual.

"She doesn't have a cellphone. But she always uses a payphone," said the woman's daughter, Diana. "She always calls."

"Come home. We all miss you," David cried. "You are the best mom ever."

Authorities described Michel as Hispanic with black hair and dark brown eyes. She's 4 feet 11 inches tall, 160 pounds, and was wearing a gray and white skirt and gray blouse.

Anyone with information about the woman's whereabouts should call Detective Lydia Saiza of the LAPD Missing Persons Unit at (213) 996-1800 or 1-877-LAPD-24-7.

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