Tucson Toddler’s Remains Found in toy trunk

Tucson: Cleaners at a vacant home in Tucson found the skeletal remains of a 3-year-old boy in a backyard toy chest, leading to the arrest of the toddler’s parents this week.

Martin Raymond Barreras, 45, and Raquel Marcela Barreras, 39, were both charged with child abuse, and the mother faces a first-degree murder charge. They were being held in Pima County Jail.

Members of the Tucson-based non-profit support group Homicide Survivors accompanied the family who gathered at the memorial to remember Barreras.

“They’re very appreciative of how the community is reaching out, sharing in their loss in their grief and their horror and supporting them,” said Carol Gaxiola, Director of Homicide Survivors.

It is unknown when family members could hold a funeral service for the boy, whose body is still under a forensics investigation.

In the meantime, the family lit candles and said a prayer for Barreras before leaving the site.

“It’s incomprehensible that another solution couldn’t have been found for problems, for difficulties; and there are loving, caring people who would have opened their arms to this baby and they’re bereft. Their hearts have been torn apart,” Gaxiola said.

Agencies/Canadajournal