A 11-month-old baby reported missing by his mother was found dead in a remote region of New Mexico, police said.
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office was alerted on Sunday to a missing child near Flora Vista, according to a press release from authorities. The disappearance sparked a desperate search effort, which culminated in the discovery of the baby’s remains on Monday, just before 10 a.m.
The sheriff’s office provided few other details, but a spokesperson confirmed to KRQE the case is is being investigated as a homicide.
The baby has not been identified and a specific cause of death was not provided.
“We understand how deeply unsettling this is for our community,” Sheriff Shane Ferrari said in a statement. “We are working around the clock to gather evidence as to what and who was responsible for the death of this child. There is no threat to the public.”
The sheriff’s office added that they were “heartbroken over the loss of a young life in our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this child.”
“We are investigating this incident to our fullest capabilities and will relentlessly pursue justice,” the statement concluded. “We ask that you respect the privacy of the family as they grieve this immense loss.”
No suspects have yet been identified.
