RIDGEFIELD, Wash. — The mother of a 4-year-old boy who went missing out of Everett and was later found dead was arrested in connection to his death Friday.
Janet Garcia, 27, of Lynnwood, Washington, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and first-degree assault of a child. She was arrested and charged with making a false statement to a public servant in Clark County on March 29.
She was booked in the Snohomish County jail Friday night.
The boy, Ariel Garcia, was reported missing by other family members on Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday, the Washington State Patrol sent out a mass alert to the public about his disappearance.
The boy's body was found in Pierce County along Interstate 5 at 5:55 p.m. on Thursday, according to the Everett Police Department.
“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,” said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin in a press release.
According to documents from the Clark County District Court, Janet Garcia told police her son fell out of a bed and hit his head when they were staying at a friend's house in Everett. When the friend returned to their house, they found a "substantial amount" of blood and Janet and Ariel were gone.
Janet Garcia was found in Ridgefield, Washington, while law enforcement was searching for her son. There, she told police she tried to take her son to a hospital in Everett after the reported fall, but the wait was too long. She then said she dropped the 4-year-old off at a friend's house in Seattle.
According to court documents, police noted that while they interviewed Janet Garcia in Ridgefield, there were what appeared to be splatters of blood on her shoes and shirt.
Police said throughout the questioning, Janet Garcia's answers were "inconsistent and difficult to follow" but continued to say her son had fallen and hit his head.
The Snohomish County Medical Examiner said Saturday the cause of death and manner was due to "homicidal violence."
Petition for emergency guardianship
Ariel Garcia's grandmother filed a petition for emergency guardianship in Snohomish County Superior Court on Monday, days before Ariel Garcia went missing. In the petition, the grandmother asked a judge to appoint her Ariel Garcia's emergency guardian, saying her daughter, Janet Garcia, struggled with alcohol and drug abuse, which had "gotten worse" in the last few months.
The grandmother said Janet Garcia recently took Ariel Garcia with her to drink at a bar with a friend and he was wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather. She also left Ariel Garcia in the care of his 7-year-old brother for a day without proper supervision.
"While she is on drugs, her behavior is unpredictable and I am scared she will harm him in the process," the grandmother wrote in the petition.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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