LAKE ELSINORE (CNS) -Law enforcement agencies around Southern California located a Lake Elsinore man suspected of killing his girlfriend and abducting their 2-year-old son on Tuesday.
Authorities found Celestine John Stoot Jr., 42, and his son in Las Vegas Tuesday afternoon. The boy was unharmed.
Riverside County sheriff's investigators allege Stoot killed Natasha Denise Barlow of San Jacinto on Monday. According to sheriff's Sgt. Deanna Pecoraro, the attack happened sometime Monday afternoon at a residence in the 17000 block of Hayes Avenue in Lake Elsinore.
Pecoraro said patrol deputies were called to the location to investigate reports of a death and found the 43-year-old woman inside the home. The exact cause of Barlow's death was not specified, and there was no mention of a possible motive.
According to Pecoraro, detectives immediately identified Stoot as the alleged assailant and suspected that he had fled with his son, Celestine Stoot III.
The boy is Black, 3-feet tall and 30 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. The suspect was described as 5-feet-8 inches tall, about 160 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Stoot is driving a charcoal gray 2020 Kia Optima with a California temporary plate of U335133 or 8VQU461, according to the Riverside County sheriff.
A statewide Amber Alert was issued Monday alerting the public to be on the lookout for the car, suspect and child.