Missing 2-year-old Hampton boy presumed dead; mother arrested five days after his disappearance
34-year-old Julia Tomlin has been arrested in connection with her son's disappearance and possible death. She was arrested on Friday night in Hampton, Virginia, and is being held at the Hampton Police HQ. She has been charged with three counts of felony child neglect, the police stated in a press release.
Tomlin who has a long history with the law enforcement was jailed for five months for child neglect in 2010 after she put her 1-year-old baby girl on a hot stove.
Her two-year-old son Noah Tomlin disappeared on Monday, after which a massive search was conducted for five days, wherein the authorities, including the FBI, firefighters and several local law enforcement agencies, combed every nook and corner. "Since that time an intensive search has been underway," Hampton Police Chief Terry Sult told reporters Wednesday. "We are still hopeful that we'll find him safe and sound in some location, but we're looking at all potential aspects that this case could lead us to."
Police need your assistance locating Noah Tomlin, 2-year-old white male, last seen wearing a white and green pajama shirt and diaper. He was last seen in the 100-block of Atlantic Avenue at approximately 1 a.m. Call HPD 757-727-6111 with info. pic.twitter.com/FN5lRuPhZr
— Hampton VA Police (@HamptonVAPolice) June 24, 2019
However, as of Friday, even though the search has gotten more intense "with a specific focus," the Hampton police believes that Noah is deceased, reports Daily Mail. 'Unfortunately to date, Noah has not been found; however, based on the highly coordinated investigation we currently believe him to be deceased,' Hampton Police wrote in a statement.
Hampton Police Chief Terry Sult said at a news conference that the fact that the huge possibility that Noah may be dead, leaves him and his officers speechless. Noah was last seen around 1 am on Monday, June 24, when he was put to bed at the family's home in Norfolk's Bayside Mobile Home Village. According to his mother Julia, he was missing when she went to check on him 10 hours later at 11 am. She reported him as missing at 11.36 a.m.
"I'm working real hard with law enforcement to help find my baby. I can't have my location known or whereabouts of my other children for their safety," Julia revealed to ABC affiliate WVEC in a text.
Anyone with information related to Noah's disappearance or whereabouts is asked to contact police at 757-727-6111 or 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.