Before disposing of her 4-year-old son’s body on the side of the road, covered in a Christmas blanket, a Washington state woman is accused of stabbing him about 41 times.
Janet Garcia, a 27-year-old resident of Everett, Washington, appeared in Snohomish County Superior Court, where she pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and domestic violence with a deadly weapon.
According to court documents, Janet Garcia, in a horrifying assault inside their apartment on March 27, 2024, stabbed her innocent 4-year-old child, Ariel, nearly 41 times.
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The young boy’s body was later discovered along I-5 near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, a discovery that shook the community to its core.
Janet Garcia was apprehended and charged with first-degree murder and domestic violence involving a deadly weapon on Friday. The prosecution highlighted the aggravating factors of domestic violence and the extreme vulnerability of the victim in their case.
Investigations into the motive behind this cruel act pointed towards an ongoing custody battle. It appeared that Janet Garcia’s mother had sought guardianship of Ariel Garcia just two days before his disappearance.
This escalated conflict suggests a premeditated intent behind Ariel’s tragic death.
In an emotional affidavit, Ariel’s grandmother expressed her deep concerns about the child’s safety under Janet’s care. She described Janet’s struggle with substance abuse and her unpredictable and violent behavior.
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It is alleged that following the horrific act, Janet fled to Clark County in southern Washington, where she checked into an alcohol rehabilitation center.
Law enforcement officials claim to have surveillance footage of Janet Garcia’s Nissan Sentra entering a gate at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, close to where Ariel’s body was discovered.
Despite the overwhelming evidence, Janet Garcia’s defense attorney, Max Mensinger, raised doubts about the investigation. He suggested the possibility of other individuals being involved, hinting at the dangerous world surrounding substance users.
The court reduced Garcia’s bail from $5 million to $3 million. Her trial is set to commence on June 7, 2024.
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