Everett, Washington – Authorities arrested a mother in Washington on Friday in connection with the death of her 4-year-old son, whose body was discovered near a highway shortly after he disappeared. Janet Garcia faces charges of first- and second-degree murder, as well as assault of a child, after the body of Ariel Garcia was found along Interstate 5. The Everett police announced the charges, also accusing her of providing false and misleading information during the investigation.
Janet Garcia was initially considered a person of interest by authorities after a relative reported Ariel missing. During questioning, Garcia claimed that her son had fallen and hit his head earlier that day, stating that she had taken him to a hospital but left due to a long wait. She also allegedly said she dropped Ariel off at a friend’s house in Seattle and did not know what happened to him afterward.
Authorities found a significant amount of blood in the apartment where Garcia resided, along with blood on her clothing at the time of her arrest. Prior to Ariel’s disappearance, his grandmother had filed for legal guardianship, citing Garcia’s substance abuse issues and concerns for the children’s safety. She described Garcia as “violent and unpredictable,” expressing fear for Ariel’s well-being.
In the days leading up to Ariel’s disappearance, Garcia’s behavior reportedly became more erratic, culminating in an incident where she allegedly threw Ariel’s brother against a wall. The grandmother voiced concerns about Garcia’s continued substance abuse and its impact on her ability to parent. Despite the grandmother’s efforts to protect Ariel, tragic events unfolded that led to the child’s untimely death.
It remains unclear if Garcia has legal representation or when she is scheduled to appear in court. The Snohomish County Superior Court has not provided immediate responses to requests for clarification. The details surrounding Ariel Garcia’s death shed light on the devastating consequences of substance abuse and the importance of early intervention to prevent further tragedies in vulnerable families.