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Her children were left alone with her body for more than a day. Now, police say this mom's death was a homicide

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NEW YORK — A mom's body was found in a New York apartment after her 5-year-old son squeezed through security bars and called for help. Officials said Monday that the woman, badly bruised, was the victim of homicide.

Luz Perez, 40, was found Oct. 13 in a ground-floor apartment near East 187th Street and Bathgate Avenue, police said. Her son and 2-year-old daughter spent about 27 hours fending for themselves after Perez's death.

"The son tried to call 911 but was unable to give the address of the location," a detective told WPIX.

He was able to unlatch the front window and call for help through the front window the next day.

"A passerby called 911 and police forced entry into the apartment and rescued the children and recovered the deceased," the detective said.

Neither child was harmed. At the time of Perez's death, family on the scene told WPIX that Perez was a mother of six.

Police have asked for help identifying a man wanted connection with Perez's death. He's approximately 6 feet tall. The man was last seen wearing a black do-rag and dark green, waist-length jacket with multiple patches.

This story was originally published by Aliza Chasan on WPIX.