Suspect In Blaine Toddler's Death Arrested In Missouri
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Authorities said a murder suspect in the death of a 21-month-old child in Blaine has been arrested in Missouri.
The Anoka County Sheriff's Office said early Tuesday morning that Missouri State Police arrested 24-year-old Nelson Geovanny Soto-Lopez.
"In my 31 years in this profession, I'm no longer shocked at the depravity and the cold-heartedness of the human soul," Anoka County Sheriff Commander Paul Sommer said.
Authorities said Soto-Lopez hired an unwitting individual to provide transportation to Kansas City, Missouri who was unaware of his alleged crimes or that he was wanted by police. The unwitting individual was later contacted by authorities and provided crucial information that lead to the capture of Soto-Lopez and recovery of the missing child.
"We were able to contact that driver through acquaintances, and he kind of put it together from there and was completely cooperative," Sommer said.
Authorities believe Soto-Lopez was attempting to travel to Arkansas where he has other family members.
His girlfriend, Heydi Jaqueline Aguilar-Bustillo, was taken into custody Monday and booked into the Anoka County Jail on suspicion of aiding and abetting child endangerment.
"As that went on, the information that she was given just didn't add up -- didn't fit the circumstances -- and detectives were of the opinion that she was trying to evade or cover circumstances up, so they took her into custody," Sommer said.
Authorities said the 5-year-old girl with Soto-Lopez is now safe.
Authorities responded at about 7:07 a.m. Tuesday to the Blaine Medical Center on a report of an unresponsive toddler. When emergency responders arrived, life-saving efforts were administered, but the child was pronounced dead at the scene.
The child who died has not been identified.
The Anoka County Sheriff's Office said the investigation is far from complete and many legal aspects of extradition have to be worked out.
Charging decisions are expected soon for both Soto-Lopez and Heydi Jaqueline Aguilar-Bustillo.