The body of a missing four-year-old boy was found along a major road after his mother allegedly left him there.
Ariel Garcia was reported missing ‘under suspicious circumstances’ by a relative around 4pm on Wednesday, according to the Everett Police Department.
A few hours later, his mother, Janet Garcia, 27, was taken into custody for ‘making false and misleading statements’ and her vehicle was impounded by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, said the police department.
Ariel’s remains were discovered off of Interstate 5 in Pierce County, Washington, around 5.55pm on Thursday following a report of a body. Detectives identified him at the scene and turned his body over to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner to determine the cause and manner of death.
‘I am completely heartbroken for the family and friends of Ariel Garcia and they will remain in my thoughts as they grieve this unbelievably tragic loss,’ stated Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin.
Janet was arrested in Vancouver, Washington, on Friday and charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder and first-degree assault of a child. The Everett resident has been booked into Snohomish County Jail.
The mayor commended the police department and media for sharing information on the case as ‘it really does make a difference’.
An AMBER Alert was not issued for Ariel because his case did not meet the federal requirements, according to the police department. A local Endangered Missing Persons Advisory was issued by the Washington State Patrol.
‘I want to share our condolences with the loved ones of young Ariel Garcia,’ stated Police Chief John DeRousse on behalf of his department.
‘This is not the outcome we had hoped for.’
Ariel’s grandmother filed for ’emergency minor guardianship’ of him two days before he vanished, claiming that Janet ‘has a long history of alcohol and substance abuse that has gotten worse in the last few months’, according to court documents obtained by FOX 13.
Major crimes detectives are continuing to investigate the incident and anyone with information is urged to contact the police department.
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