A Washington woman was arrested Friday in connection with the death of her missing 4-year-old son, whose body was found along the interstate Thursday.
Janet Garcia, 27, faces charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder and first-degree assault on a child, the Everett Police Department (EPD) said in a statement detailing the events surrounding Ariel Garcia’s death.
A relative reported the boy missing Wednesday, and Janet became a “person of interest” hours after her son was reported missing, according to EPD, which made the arrest.
Ariel Garcia, 4, in a photo released by the Everett Police Department.
Everett Police Department
Janet was previously taken into custody by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday for allegedly “making false and misleading statements” to police prior to Friday’s arrest. Janet was booked into the Snohomish County Jail on Friday.
Police were notified that the body — later identified as Ariel’s — was discovered along Interstate 5 in Pierce County, Washington, just before 6 p.m. local time Thursday night.
The body was discovered after an extensive search involving more than 100 officers, agents and investigators, including the FBI.
“On behalf of the Everett Police Department, I want to share our condolences with the loved ones of young Ariel Garcia. This is not the outcome we were hoping for,” Everett Police Chief John DeRousse said in a statement.
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“I want to thank all of our partners who jumped into action to support this search,” he added. “Our investigation will continue and we will do everything we can to ensure justice for this young man.”
Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin also released a statement: “I am absolutely heartbroken for the family and friends of Ariel Garcia and will remain in my thoughts as they grieve this incredibly tragic loss,” she said.
“I want to commend our leadership at the Everett Police Department, the many hardworking men and women who make up our team and our law enforcement partners throughout the region for all of your work investigating this case,” Franklin continued.
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Source: HIS Education