A man suspected of killing his girlfriend’s toddler and then taking off with her 5-year-old daughter was arrested in Missouri on Wednesday morning, according to the Anoka County sheriff’s office.
Nelson Geovanny Soto-Lopez, 24, was picked up by a Missouri State police officer about 5 a.m. after an alert went out to law enforcement that Soto-Lopez was possibly en route to Arkansas, where he has family. The girl was found with him and appears to be unharmed, the sheriff’s office reported.
Soto-Lopez is suspected in the death of his girlfriend’s 21-month-old boy.
The investigation is focused on an apartment in the 1500 block of 87th Avenue N.E. in Blaine.
Blaine police were dispatched to the Blaine Medical Center just after 7 a.m. Tuesday on a report of an unresponsive child.
Despite life-saving efforts, the boy died at the scene.
The boy’s mother was with him at the medical center and was reportedly taken into custody. She is cooperating with authorities.
Shortly after the boy’s death, law enforcement issued a public alert asking anyone who might have information about Soto-Lopez’s whereabouts to contact law enforcement. Authorities had reason to believe Soto-Lopez was trying to leave the area.
Although Soto-Lopez is now in custody and the girl safe, authorities said Wednesday the “investigation is far from complete” and that “many legal aspects of extradition have to be worked out.”
Authorities tracked down Soto-Lopez after discovering he hired an “unwitting” driver unaware of Soto-Lopez’s connection to the crime to take him to Kansas City, Mo. His father and stepmother met him there, the sheriff’s office reported. Authorities believe Soto-Lopez planned to travel on to Arkansas, where he has other relatives.
Once the driver was contacted and apprised of the situation, the individual “immediately cooperated and provided crucial information” that led to Soto-Lopez’s apprehension, authorities said.
It appears Soto-Lopez’s father and stepmother were also unaware of his wanted status.
Soto-Lopez has not been charged. Charging decisions are expected “soon” against him and his girlfriend Heydi Jaqueline Aguilar-Bustillo, the sheriff’s office said.