The Midland Police Department (MPD) said it has discovered the true identity of the individual known as Cordarius. Authorities said an investigation revealed the person to be 24-year-old Cordarius Lashun Pegues, of Midland, and the man’s mother – identified as 47-year-old Charlotte Latasha Pegues, also of Midland, was arrested on Aug. 21 and charged with exploitation of a disabled individual, according to a Midland Police Department Facebook post.
“The citizens of Midland, along with the abundance of concern for Cordarius nationwide, assisted officials involved with the case in identifying Cordarius,” MPD said in a Facebook post. “Officials with the City of Midland, the Midland Police Department and all agencies involved would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support and help.”
Citing an Aug. 9 arrest affidavit from MPD, Odessa NBC affiliate KWES Channel 9 reports Cordarius’ grandmother contacted the department to say the man was living with his mother.
The station reports authorities met with Charlotte Pegues, who claimed to be financially supporting Cordarius though she wasn’t in possession of him.
MPD searched the elder Pegues’ residence on Aug. 10 to find it in a hazardous and unhygienic state, and investigators failed to locate any proof indicating her support or care of Cordarius, according to KWES.
Odessa ABC affiliate KMID Channel 2 and FOX affiliate KPEJ Channel 24 reported that police found Cordarius on his lonesome near Ward Street and Shandon Avenue.
Per the stations, he could only tell officers his first name and not much else.
MPD said earlier this month that Cordarius was living with a foster family, KMID and KPEJ report.
In a statement released at the time, the department described him as “a very joyful child” who has a positive relationship with his caregivers and foster siblings, according to the stations.