EVERETT — Everett boy Ariel Garcia, 4, was reportedly found dead Thursday evening following a massive search effort around the Pacific Northwest.
Here is what we know so far:
March 2020. The Garcia family moves back to Washington from California.
Monday, March 25. Garcia’s grandmother files for emergency guardianship of Ariel and his 7-year-old brother in Snohomish County Superior Court. She alleges their mother’s drug and alcohol abuse have made her “violent and unpredictable” in recent weeks, according to court documents.
1:23 p.m. Tuesday, March 26. Snohomish County Superior Court Commissioner Nicole Wagner approves a temporary emergency guardianship and restraining order. The order must be delivered within 48 hours.
7 a.m. Wednesday, March 27. Garcia is last seen alive at an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Drive, according to Everett police. He is believed to have left the home “under suspicious circumstances” with a family member, police report.
3:40 p.m. Over 180 miles south of Everett, security footage shows a Nissan Sentra parking outside a taproom in Ridgefield, Clark County, according to bar staff. A woman gets out and walks away.
5:45 p.m. 911 dispatchers broadcast a bulletin over police radios in Snohomish County, advising officers to be on the lookout for the child and his mother.
7 p.m. Police arrive at the bar in Ridgefield, asking staff for access to their cameras.
12:03 a.m. Thursday, March 28. Ariel’s mother, Janet Garcia, is booked into Clark County jail.
12:24 a.m. Everett police issue a missing person alert on social media.
5:55 p.m. Police are notified that a body matching Garcia’s description is found along I-5 in Pierce County. Around the exact same time, the Washington State Patrol issues an Endangered Missing Person alert for Garcia on behalf of Everett police, setting off alarms on phones around the region.
7:15 p.m. Authorities publicly announce they believe they have found the child’s remains.
5:58 p.m. Friday, March 29. Everett police announce they’ve arrested the boy’s mother, Janet Ernestina Garcia, for investigation of murder in his death.
1 p.m. Monday, April 1. Janet Ernestina Garcia makes her first appearance in court. Judge finds probable cause on all charges and sets bail at $5 million.
Maya Tizon: 425-339-3434; maya.tizon@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @mayatizon.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.