The Everett Police Department has arrested a suspect in the death of a missing 4-year-old boy, Ariel Garcia. According to EPD, the Violent Crime Unit arrested Ariel’s mother, Janet Garcia, in Vancouver, Washington. Janet Garcia is charged with Murder in the First Degree, Murder in the Second Degree, and Assault of a Child in the First Degree.
On March 27, 2024, Ariel was reported missing. Within hours, Janet was placed into custody for making false and misleading statements. Authorities also impounded her vehicle on the same day. Just before 6 p.m. on March 28, 2024, EPD was notified that a body had been found along I-5 in Pierce County.
Detectives responded to the scene and confirmed the deceased was Ariel Garcia. He was reported missing under suspicious circumstances by a relative around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27. Authorities launched an extensive search. Investigators say they determined that the child was last seen on Wednesday morning. An Endangered Missing Persons Advisory was issued by Washington State Patrol on Thursday.
EPD says the case did not meet the requirement for an AMBER Alert.
Jay Skelton is an independent crime journalist with a passion for covering the uncovered and the under covered.