A mother in Washington was arrested on Friday for the murder of her 4-year-old son, who was found dead near a highway after going missing earlier in the week. Janet Garcia was charged with first- and second-degree murder, as well as assault of a child, after her son Ariel Garcia’s body was discovered along Interstate 5. Authorities also accused her of making false statements during their investigation. Garcia had been named a person of interest by police after a relative reported Ariel missing on Wednesday. She claimed that Ariel had fallen and hit his head, and that she had taken him to a hospital but left due to a long wait. Garcia then said she dropped him off at a friend’s home in Seattle and did not know what happened to him after that.
Authorities found a significant amount of blood in the Everett apartment where Garcia was staying, and Garcia had blood on her shirt at the time of her arrest. Just two days before Ariel’s disappearance, his grandmother had filed for legal guardianship of the boy, citing Garcia’s substance abuse issues that affected her ability to parent. The grandmother stated that Garcia’s substance abuse had worsened in recent months, leading her to go on drug binges lasting days. She described Garcia as “violent and unpredictable,” causing Ariel to be frightened of her. In the week leading up to Ariel’s disappearance, Garcia had become more erratic and had even thrown Ariel’s older brother against a wall, according to the Lynnwood Times.
The grandmother expressed concern that Garcia would harm Ariel due to her drug use and erratic behavior, stating that she wanted to protect her grandson from his mother’s possible malicious actions. It is unclear if Garcia has retained legal representation or when she is scheduled to appear in court. The Snohomish County Superior Court did not respond to requests for clarification. Those in need of help for substance abuse or mental health issues can call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357) in the United States. The tragic death of 4-year-old Ariel Garcia highlights the devastating impact of substance abuse and mental health issues on families and communities, emphasizing the need for support and resources to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
