Rudy Farias’ Mom Speaks Out after Her ‘Scared’ Son Revealed She Kept Him ‘Slave’ for 8 Years

On July 6, 2023, KPRC 2’s Corley Peel shared a short Twitter clip of Rudolph “Rudy” Farias IV’s mother, Janie Santana, speaking out in public for the first time. At the time, Santana was talking to her neighbors and was recorded while leaning against a car.

Peel revealed that the clip was taken the night before, and she said that the police were treating her as a suspect in her son’s missing person case. The reporter also shared that she spoke to Farias IV’s cousin, who once called the police in 2018 after his family saw him at his mother’s house when he was supposed to be missing.

In the video, Santana said police wanted to arrest her because they believed she’d been “hiding” her son. The day before the footage was uploaded, Quanell X, a Houston community activist, spoke to FOX 26 Houston about the young man who went missing aged 17 on March 6, 2015, only to be found in mid-2023.

He revealed that he received an emergency call from detectives asking him to meet with them, Santana and Farias IV, at a hotel. The victim asked to speak to the activist, and a detective stayed put as they spoke one-on-one for about an hour and twenty minutes.

Quanell X admitted that the things he heard from Farias IV, 25, were so “horrific,” he tried holding his tears back so the victim wouldn’t see him crying but failed. The young man said he’d initially run away when taking the dogs for a walk but returned home two days later.

Janie Santana speaking to neighbors about her being a suspect in her son’s missing person’s case on July 6, 2023, in Houston | Source: Twitter/KPRC 2 Corley Peel

He ran away because he got tired of his mother not respecting his boundaries by staring at him when he showered or forcing him to bathe her. However, upon his return, Santana allegedly told her son he had to hide because the law was looking to arrest him for running away.

The victim’s mother initially hid him somewhere else before relocating him back home. When investigators came by, the young man’s mom allegedly hid him in the house, but despite all she reportedly did to him, Farias IV didn’t want his mother imprisoned or to get in trouble.

The victim allegedly said he was tired of living like a “slave.” What troubled him the most was that she made him sleep in the same bed as her and “play daddy.” When he snuck off the bed and slept under it, Santana reportedly told him he was her husband.

Janie Santana speaking to neighbors about her being a suspect in her son’s missing person’s case on July 6, 2023, in Houston. | Source: Twitter/KPRC 2 Corley Peel

Farias IV claimed his mother kept him drugged, on hallucinogens, and abused him all those years he was “missing.” When the young man’s mother was in the same room as him, he refused to say anything, with the activist thinking he was petrified of Santana.

After the allegations about his mother’s reported deeds, Santana ran from her home at midnight. One of her neighbors called the police after seeing her leaving her house hours after her interview with the police.

Janie Santana speaking to neighbors about her being a suspect in her son’s missing person’s case on July 6, 2023, in Houston. | Source: Twitter/KPRC 2 Corley Peel

Santana’s neighbors also spoke to the media sharing their insight into Farias IV’s case. One even revealed that the victim’s mother tried to get them to keep quiet about what they knew.

What Janie’s Neighbors Said about Her “Missing” Son

The same day Peel uploaded the Twitter clip of Santana, KPRC 2 Click2Houston revealed that Farias IV went missing eight years ago before being found near a Houston church on July 6, 2023. Quanell X revealed during his interview that he knew something was off about the case when the victim was discovered with his mother’s credit card.

A search party looking for Rudolph “Rudy” Farias IV after he went missing on March 6, 2015, in Houston. | Source: YouTube/KPRC 2 Click2Houston

The activist said it didn’t make sense that Farias IV was missing if he had his mother’s card when he was found. The card had been issued two and a half years before and within the timeline of Farias IV being missing. Quanell X also revealed that Santana took her son to her security nightshift work and made him do all her work.

Quanell X discussing Rudolph “Rudy” Farias IV’s case in July 2023, after an interview with him and detectives at a Houston hotel. | Source: YouTube/KPRC 2 Click2Houston

The interviewed neighbors said they were “disturbed, disgusted,” and worried about the man they knew as “Dolph.” After his hotel interview with Quanell X and the detective, the young man allegedly left with his mother and his aunt, Pauline Sanchez-Rodriguez, who said:

“Everything is coming out to the light.”

The church where Rudolph “Rudy” Farias IV was found outside on July 6, 2023, after he went missing on March 6, 2015, in Houston. | Source: YouTube/KPRC 2 Click2Houston

Santana’s stepsister shared how she’d known Farias IV’s mother had been lying all along about his whereabouts. She confessed that she feared for her nephew’s life. Santana’s neighbor, Keisha Ross, revealed that Santana allegedly offered to bribe them to “stay quiet” about what they knew concerning the case.

His aunt felt he was “traumatized” after going through so much and that further actions had to be taken.

Quanell X leaving with Rudolph “Rudy” Farias IV in July 2023, after an interview with him and detectives at a Houston hotel. | Source: YouTube/KPRC 2 Click2Houston

Ross, who lived down the street, knew the young man as “Dolph.” She disclosed that whenever he came to her garage, he was never sober despite her seeing him regularly. She recalled him saying he didn’t want to stay at his house because his mother got on his nerves.

Neighbor Keisha Ross discussing Rudolph “Rudy” Farias IV’s case in July 2023. | Source: YouTube/KPRC 2 Click2Houston

Sanchez-Rodriguez was quite emotional when speaking to the press about her nephew, but she shed some light on his well-being when she finally saw him. Farias IV‘s aunt also revealed what her nephew felt about Santana.

What Rudy’s Aunt Said about Him and What She Wished

On July 7, 2023, Houston police finally addressed the case by revealing that there were currently no charges against Santana. The police said they didn’t believe Farias IV was detained by his mother, and when Sanchez-Rodriguez finally heard about her nephew’s whereabouts, she took the day off work to look for him.

Pauline Sanchez-Rodriguez discussing her nephew Rudolph “Rudy” Farias IV’s case on July 7, 2023, after she was reunited with him. | Source: YouTube/KPRC 2 Click2Houston

The victim’s aunt got into the home’s backyard where Farias IV intended to stay, and their reunion involved her hugging him until she was ready to let go. The teary-eyed relative said it was “beautiful” to see her nephew, who was okay but skinny.

Authorities noted how Santana deceived patrol officers by saying her friends and family were seeing her nephew instead of her son when they received tips. The young man is now living with family friends as he focuses on his recovery and doesn’t want to return to his mother.

Pauline Sanchez-Rodriguez discussing her nephew Rudolph “Rudy” Farias IV’s case on July 7, 2023, after she was reunited with him | Source: YouTube/KPRC 2 Click2Houston

His aunt feels he was “traumatized” after going through so much and that further actions have to be taken. Sanchez-Rodriguez also noted how “scared” Farias IV was, and investigators contacted adult protective services to assist.

The young man’s aunt said he needs to heal mentally. She also revealed that the victim doesn’t want to see her or return to Santana.