Mother Arrested for Murder After Missing Washington Boy Found Dead

The arrest follows the discovery of 4-year-old Ariel Garcia's body by a highway, amid concerns over the mother's substance abuse and violent behavior.

A 4-year-old boy, Ariel Garcia, was found dead along Interstate 5 in Pierce County, Washington, leading to the arrest of his mother, Janet Garcia, on charges including first- and second-degree murder.
Days before Ariel was reported missing, his grandmother was granted emergency custody due to concerns over Janet Garcia's substance abuse and violent behavior.
Investigators discovered a substantial amount of blood in the apartment where Janet and Ariel were staying, contradicting Janet's claims about Ariel's injuries.
The extensive search for Ariel involved nearly 100 officers, agents, and investigators from multiple jurisdictions, including the FBI.
Janet Garcia was initially arrested for making false statements to a public servant before facing more serious charges related to her son's death.