Mother arrested in Clark County day after ‘vehicle of interest’ in Everett missing boy case found in Ridgefield

Editor’s note: The most recent details on the Ridgefield arrest of Ariel Garcia’s mother can be found here.

The mother of a missing 4-year-old Everett boy found dead Thursday was arrested in Clark County, according to the Everett Herald newspaper. A vehicle associated with the case was found earlier this week in Ridgefield.

Ariel Garcia, 4, was last seen 7 a.m. Wednesday at an apartment in Everett, according to the Everett Police Department. An Amber Alert was issued in his disappearance about 6 p.m. Thursday, about the same time police located the body near Everett. The newspaper reported Friday that Garcia’s grandmother filed for  emergency guardianship Monday.

The blue 2013 Nissan Sentra, license plate No.  CJC9954, associated with the missing child was spotted Wednesday in Ridgefield, according to KATU. Security video from the 3 Peaks Taphouse, 24415 N.E. 10th Ave., Ridgefield, shows the vehicle pulling into the parking lot about 3:40 p.m. Wednesday. After a few minutes, a woman exits the car and walks out onto 10th Avenue away from the taphouse.

On Thursday, Garcia’s mother was taken into custody in Clark County on suspicion of making false statements to a public servant, according to Clark County jail records.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment to the Everett Herald, stating the case was under Everett’s jurisdiction.

The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death and confirm the identity of the victim, police said. The family has been notified.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call 911, submit tips to 425-257-8450, or email tips@everettwa.gov.