Two weeks after the leaders of a cult-like group within the Inland Empire have been arrested, police have reopened an investigation into the demise of a 4-year-old boy who had been positioned of their custody.
On Thursday, the Colton Police Division introduced that it was reviewing new leads and actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the January 2010 demise of 4-year-old Timothy Thomas.
“On the time of his demise, non permanent custody of Timothy Thomas had been signed over from his delivery mother and father to leaders of His Means Spirit Led Assemblies,” the division mentioned in a information launch.
On Aug. 14, authorities arrested a husband and spouse who run the Hemet-based non secular group as a part of an ongoing investigation into the suspicious disappearance, and attainable murder, of one of many group’s members, authorities mentioned.
Pastor Darryl Muzic Martin, 57, and his spouse, “Prophetess” Shelly Bailey Martin, 62 have been arrested as an investigation continues into the disappearance of Emilio Ghanem, 40, in accordance with the Redlands Police Division. Police are additionally trying to find a person related to the group who disappeared in 2017.
The couple have been arrested on suspicion of possessing unlawful weapons. They’re each now out of custody and haven’t been charged.
Ghanem went lacking in Could 2023 shortly after parting methods with the non secular group and opening a pest management firm that competed with a enterprise operated by a bunch chief. Earlier this 12 months, Redlands police mentioned they discovered the rental truck he was final seen driving “together with extra proof.”
His disappearance is being investigated as a possible murder, in accordance with metropolis of Redlands spokesperson Carl Baker.
Redlands police are helping Claremont police as they examine the disappearance of Perris resident Ruben Moreno, who was additionally affiliated with His Means Spirit Led Assemblies, in accordance with police. Claremont police say Moreno was final seen in December 2017 at a Claremont residence the place group members used to assemble.
