Family of missing Vallejo woman pleads for help bringing her home

VALLEJO, Calif. (KGO) -- The family of a 57-year-old missing woman for two weeks pleaded for her safe return at a news conference on Tuesday morning.

Three suspects linked to her disappearance were arraigned in court Tuesday.

RELATED: Suspects accused of kidnapping Vallejo woman appear in court

Elvira Babb's son John Babb is the one who got the chilling text message on June 30 sent from his mom's phone ordering him to pay $60,000 in ransom and threatening to kill her.

"I thought it was a joke," he said.

When she didn't respond he went to her apartment and found her Chihuahua "Rocky" dead inside. He ruminated over calling the police. The next day he did. Elvie Babb worked customizing orthotics at a company in Napa and was well liked.

"We had a grief counselor come in and support the staff yesterday," said Elvie's co-worker Dan Demars.

WATCH VIDEO: 4 arrested in Vallejo kidnapping for ransom; Victim still missing

Babb's son says his mom was bankrupt. After the police press conference, a close friend shared cellphone photos and told ABC7 News that one of the suspects, Emmanuel Espinoza, who was arraigned Monday, actually lived in Babb's apartment for years with her daughter. Police would not elaborate.

Three more suspects were arranged in Solano County Court Tuesday afternoon on kidnapping for ransom charges, Lovely Ruazol, Larry Young and Jalon Brown, who told the judge he was an innocent bystander. For all of them, bail was set at $1 million.

"Because of the safety factor in this case, the victim Ms. Babb, we still haven't found her," said Solano County district attorney Kern Jensen.

"We are hoping to get her back alive," John Babb said.

There could be more arrests in the race against time to save Elvie Babb.