A Mexican journalist who was reported missing a week ago along with her two-year-old son told a local radio station she is in hiding and in good condition, although she urged the government to offer her protection.

Stephania Cardoso, a police beat reporter for the daily Zocalo in Saltillo, the capital of the northern Mexican state of Coahuila, issued the plea for help during a brief telefone interview aired live on Friday afternoon by Radio Formula.

“I know the authorities are looking for me and right now I’d rather not give details. Thank God my son and I are well and the only thing we ask is support from the federal authorities to guarantee our safety, the protection of the Mexican government for me and my son,” she said.