what a wonderful story! You must be so glad to have gotten this little guy out of there! I was wondering, are the cats there visible enough that other people are aware of them and could have dumped a litter there thinking "They'll be fine, the big cats will teach them to chase mice and birds..."? It would explain his being both terrified and then friendly having been around people and socialized, then dumped and traumatized. Just a thought. I know where ever there is a colony around here, in particular if someone is seen feeding the colony, cats and litters get dumped. The mother could have been dumped too... They are old enough now to not necessarily be by her side at all times, esp. if she is starving and off looking for food to take care of herself..(or doesn't know how to hunt so out digging through trash). just a thought- Keep up your diligence! Any friend that can keep an eye out for them too?
Give the boy some rare roast beef from the deli for me!