Father of missing 8-year-old boy Noah McIntosh charged with murder, while mother is held for felony child endangerment
Law enforcement in California reported that a father has been charged with first-degree murder after his eight-year-old boy unexpectedly went missing four weeks ago.
Bryce McIntosh is suspected of killing his son Noah after he was reported missing earlier this month in Riverside County, investigators announced at a news conference on Thursday, stated a Daily Mail report. Detectives have reportedly found traces of evidence that "leave no doubt that Noah is the victim of a homicide" although his body is yet to be discovered.
"It is unfortunate and with a heavy heart that I must let the community know that the missing child investigation regarding Noah McIntosh has now been escalated to a homicide case," Corona Police Chief George Johnstone said.
In order to protect the integrity of a probe into the case, authorities have released very few details about Noah's disappearance earlier this month.
On March 13, just over a week after Noah went missing, 32-year-old McIntosh and Noah's mother 36-year-old Jillian Godfrey, were arrested and charged with felony child endangerment. McIntosh allegedly refused to let Godfrey see her son, who was living with his father and 11-year-old sister at the time, forcing her to call the police.
Investigators determined there was substantial evidence to arrest both parents for child abuse after executing a search warrant at McIntosh's home on March 13. While McIntosh was charged with murder, Godfrey, who lived separately, was not hit with any additional charges.
As of now, both defendants are remanded in custody at the Robert Presley Detention Center in downtown Riverside. While McIntosh's bail is set at $1 million, Godfrey would have to pay $500,000 to secure release before their court appearance scheduled on April 8.
Anyone with information related or pertaining to the missing boy or his parents are urged to contact Senior Detective Mario Hernandez at 951-279-3659 or at mario.hernandez@coronaca.gov.