Sacramento, California: Police in California say a 2-year-old boy survived on dry cat food for up to six days after his mother died.

The Sacramento Bee newspaper reported that a social worker heard the toddler crying while making a visit to check on the family Thursday morning. The worker called police after no one answered the door.

Inside, authorities found the body of 36-year-old Lisa Gonzales. It was not yet known how she died, but a spokeswoman from Child Protective Services says the woman suffered from a chronic illness. A spokesman for Sacramento police says foul play was not suspected. The boy, identified only as Noah, is in protective custody.