Mother, aunt charged with murder of missing 6-year-old Apple Valley boy
APPLE VALLEY, Calif. (FOX 11) - The mother and aunt of a missing 6-year-old Apple Valley boy were arrested on Saturday and are being held on suspicion of his murder, deputies said.
Jakee Raquel Contreras, 29, was arrested on Thursday night after she told authorities that her son, 6-year-old Duke Flores, hadn't been seen for approximately two weeks. Contreras was arrested for child neglect for her "delay in reporting her son missing," deputies said.
"Deputies immediately began a search of the area," according to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
Related: Apple Valley Police searching for 'critical missing' 6-year-old boy
On Friday, homicide detectives and K9 units responded to the home to search for Duke, gather evidence, and conduct multiple interviews throughout the day with family members.
After detectives interviewed the boy's mother, she was booked on a charge of murder where she was held without bail, deputies said.
Her twin, Jennifer Rachel Contreras, 29, was arrested Saturday and also held without bail on a count of murder in connection with her nephew's disappearance.
The investigation is ongoing and detectives are continuing the search for the missing 6-year-old boy.
Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact the Specialized Investigations Division, Detective Narcie Sousa at 909-387-3589 or Sheriff's dispatch at 909-387-8313. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at (800)78-CRIME or www.wetip.com.