Timeline: What happened to Samuel Olson? Cops trying to figure out how boy ended up dead in Texas motel
JASPER, TEXAS: Six-year-old Samuel Olson was reported missing five days before his body was found in a Jasper motel room. Houston police took his father's girlfriend, Theresa Balboa, into custody at the motel and charged her with tampering with evidence. It's worth noting that Balboa was the one who reported Samuel missing, but authorities say there were holes in her story from the beginning.
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Who is Sarah Olson? Biological mom of slain Samuel Olson, 6, hadn't seen him in a year
Here's a timeline of the heartbreaking case
April 30
This was reportedly the last day Samuel, then 5, attended school at Holbrook Elementary in Cy-Fair ISD. Authorities believe this was also the last time anyone outside of the family saw the blue-eyed, curly-haired child. Speaking to KHOU 11, Samuel's paternal grandmother Tanya Olson said she last saw the boy in the first week of May and last spoke with him over the phone a week before his disappearance.
Warning: this is a disturbing thread about the latest on the Samuel Olson case. Court records show a man allegedly met Theresa Balboa at a Walmart parking lot in Cleveland, TX, picked her up along with a black plastic box. Drove to Best Western in Jasper. #KHOU11 pic.twitter.com/uBxSp1o5dK
— Lauren Talarico (@KHOULauren) June 3, 2021
May 27
At approximately 6 pm on May 27, Houston police received a call reporting that Samuel was missing from southwest Houston. When officers arrived at the address in 8800 block of McAvoy Drive, Samuel's father Dalton Olson, and his girlfriend Theresa Balboa, were present at the scene. 29-year-old Balboa told police that Samuel's biological mother and a man "dressed as a police officer" picked up the kid that morning around 7 am. The "officer" allegedly told Balboa she would be charged with kidnapping if she didn't turn Samuel over.
But when authorities confronted Samuel's mother Sarah Olson, she had a strong alibi.
May 28
Multiple family members were questioned. HPD Asst Chief Heather Miller said there were “several inconsistencies” in Balboa’s story and homicide detectives were brought in to solve the case.
May 29
When Houston police put out an alert about missing Samuel Olson to the media, they did not mention Balboa's claims about him being taken by his mother and a "police officer."
Media Briefing on Search for Missing 6-Year-Old Boy https://t.co/Z0yF7IrhZ3
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) June 1, 2021
May 30
Samuel Olson turned six years old on May 30, 2021. His mother Sarah left a birthday cake, some balloons, and candles next to a flyer with his photo and details. “I love you, Samuel. I pray you’re ok. I love you, my baby. Happy bday,” the devastated mother posted on Facebook.
Attorney's representing Samuel Olson's mother deliver statement https://t.co/HlJUapzNuw
— FOX26Houston (@FOX26Houston) June 2, 2021
May 31
Authorities took the search for Samuel up a notch. Texas EquuSearch volunteers searched an area "near the Gulf Freeway and Dixie Farm Road, not far from Ellington Field," per KHOU 11. "I sure as hell don’t think this is going to have a happy ending,” Equusearch founder Tim Miller told the outlet at the time. Police searched the Gateway at Ellington apartment complex after reports that it was the last known location Samuel was seen at. It later emerged that Balboa lived at the complex with an unnamed male and that authorities were searching her apartment. In the process, they also impounded her 2012 Dodge Avenger.
"We are trying to move with as much urgency as we can," Larry Saddlewhite, with HPD, said. "We're still not where we need to be in terms of locating him."
Balboa was arrested last November and charged with assaulting Dalton by "impeding breathing," per court records. At the time, Dalton got a protective order and Balboa wasn’t supposed to go near him or his family members. However, they got back together at some point, per KHOU 11.
June 1
Samuel's grandmother Tanya Olson revealed on June 1 that the family had lost contact with Balboa. “Just bring Sam home. Just bring Sam home,” Olson told KHOU 11. “This can’t go on anymore. We need to know where he is. Where he is and that he’s safe and that he’s good. And that way he can have a birthday party.”
Jasper authorities received a Crime Stoppers tip about Balboa's whereabouts shortly after, leading them to the Best Western Inn on West Gibson Street in Jasper. Officers questioned Balboa at the motel before finding the body of a child in a tote bag in room 106. Balboa was taken into custody and Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said they believed the victim found was Samuel Olson, 6.
NEW: Previous mug shots of Theresa Balboa, the woman taken into custody at the Jasper motel where the body of Samuel Olson, 6, is believed to be found. Balboa was out on bond from an assault charge in November, which alleges she assaulted Dalton Olson, Sam’s father. @KHOU pic.twitter.com/YhpJDgaWAx
— Janelle Bludau (@JanelleKHOU) June 2, 2021
June 2
HPD Assistant Chief Heather Miller confirmed at a press conference that the body was, in fact, Samuel's, but said they were waiting for the medical examiner to make a positive identification. “This is an absolutely tragic event, and our prayers go out to the family," Miller said.
Balboa is charged with tampering with evidence and remanded in custody at the Jasper County Jail. Miller said homicide detectives have to interrogate several other people about the disappearance, including the boy's biological father. Authorities are trying to establish a motive and are currently scouring surveillance video from the motel, hoping to get some answers.