Search intensifies for DeKalb mom believed to be in ‘danger’

Filipino-American group is asked to help locate woman.

In late October, Cecilia Bustamante disappeared.

The 42-year-old Chamblee mother of one left behind her credit and debit cards, identification, passport and, worse, her 7-year-old son.

But police weren’t notified she was gone until Dec. 2 when relatives in Maryland grew concerned because she missed Thanksgiving. She remains missing. “I think that she is in grave danger or worse,” Capt. Ernesto Ford of Chamblee police has told Channel 2 Action News.

A friend told the news station she would never intentionally leave her son, who apparently was left with her husband.

Now a local organization, the Filipino-American Association of Atlanta, is getting involved in the search.

Willy Blanco, who is with the association, told the station he’s asking the community to start a conversation about Bustamante, in the hopes someone might know something. Bustamante is Filipino-American.

“Just reach out to all of your friends out there,” he said. “People in social media groups, anybody who may know anything about her.”

Bustamante had recently moved to a home off Meadowood Lane in Chamblee and previously lived in the Lindbergh area of Atlanta.

Police have said the woman likely didn’t leave on her own, though no charges have been filed and no suspects have been named.

Chamblee police can be reached at 770-986-5005.

CHANNEL 2 ACTION NEWS Cecilia Bustamante has been missing since late October.