By Mary O’KEEFE

An emotional press conference was held on Wednesday where law enforcement and the mother of a 5-year-old missing boy asked for the public’s help.

“To my son, Piqui, this is for you, my love: Be brave, honey, know that mama and a lot of people are working very hard to bring you home,” said Ana Estevez, the mother of the missing 5-year-old boy Aramazd (known to family and friends as Piqui) Andressian, Jr. “On April 12 you asked me if the happiest day of my life was the day you were born. My answer to you was it was the happiest day ever. I want you to know, honey, that the second happiest day of my life is when you come back home.”

Estevez fought back tears as she spoke about her son and spoke to her son hoping “whoever had him” would be listening during the press conference. A $20,000 reward was approved by Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for information leading to the apprehension and/or conviction of the individuals relating to the disappearance of the boy. A GoFundMe page has also been set up.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. Lt. Joe Mendoza reviewed the timeline beginning when Aramazd was reported missing.

On Saturday, April 22 at 10 a.m., Estevez reported to the San Marino police her son was missing after his father, Aramazd Andressian Sr., 35, did not show up for a scheduled custody exchange.

“[Law enforcement] had learned that at about 6:30 in the morning the South Pasadena police had responded to Arroyo Park,” Mendoza said.

The police were responding to a report of an unconscious man, Andressian, found next to his car. Aramazd Jr. was not there. On April 23, South Pasadena police requested support from the LASD to investigate the disappearance of the boy.

Aramazd Jr. was last seen by his mother on April 18 when they Skyped. On that following Thursday, Aramazd Jr. and his father went to Disneyland, leaving after midnight, Mendoza said.

When interviewed, Mendoza said, the father said he and his son had traveled to Lake Cachuma.

“We could not confirm the child was with his dad at the lake,” Mendoza said.

Saturday the dad traveled to Arroyo Park.

“We spoke to [the dad] regarding Saturday morning; he said he arrived at the park with his child and was waiting for the golf course to open. He admitted to ingesting prescription medication that was not prescribed to him,” Mendoza said.

The father said he does not remember anything about his son’s disappearance or any information regarding his son.

“His statements were inconsistent and misleading. He has not offered any additional information and has only offered a written statement through his attorney,” Mendoza said.

There have been several searches in “numerous residences and public areas and [police] have conducted countless interviews” and have investigated many tips from the public.

“All of those have been fruitless,” he added.

Mendoza thanked Aramazd’s mother for cooperating with law enforcement, even agreeing not to speak to the media until investigators were further into their investigation.

Estevez echoed her appreciation for law enforcement and LA County Supervisors for approving the reward for any information pertaining to her son’s disappearance.

“To those who I have met while distributing flyers, who stopped to say a prayer for my son, who gave me a reassuring hug or smile, who immediately took a photo of the missing child flyer and posted it to social media or who simply asked how can I help, I am eternally grateful,” she said. “My son’s disappearance is my worst nightmare. It has been 32 days and almost three hours since I last hugged my son, kissed him or told him how much I loved him.”

“Mama loves you to the moon and the stars,” she added. “I will never stop looking for you.”

  Mary Okeefe