My notes from presser:
Remains are consistent with a child Owens size.
Won't know if more charges will be filed until all evidence processed.
Suspect came into country illegally and was deported twice and is facing federal charges for illegal entry and forged id.
Remains were found within 1/4 mile from his mother but were somewhat scattered--
Some remains in a shallow grave with disturbance from an animal.
For 10 days they had 1111 people searching the farm in May/June.
The rain and apple season worked against them searching as well as searcher fatigue.
The evidence they were looking for had been intentionally hidden.
They continued to search, however, with a limited continuous plan.
Although it was reported in media they had stopped-- they never stopped investigating. They never quit (this officer is emotional, his voice breaking
).
Suspect is represented by an attorney so LE has not questioned him since arrest.
An emergency response team was there on Wed as part of their search detail, they did a ground search and found those remains.
Location was called "Block 1" and had the most searches of any other area. It had been searched everyday of the 10 day search. The ground cover in that area was very difficult.
If it had not been for the ground disturbance by an animal they would not have found the remains --remains were partly found on Wed and more on Thursday.
They believe these deaths to be suspicious.
Oct is domestic violence awareness month.
There was a history of domestic violence.
They were not married but were partners/significant others and she had previously located to the victim resource center.
Area had been searched with cadaver dogs 7 times (wow!)
Had they not found the remains, they would have continued to search daily
Hoping for closure for the family
Selena had been seeking asylum and she was doing everything right (made court dates, paperwork, etc) to try to stay here.
Border patrol had taken in some people in Sodus at the time of this incident and at first LE thought Reyes, Selena and Owen may have fled because of that. But investigation revealed red flags and when they searched they found Selena's body within 20 minutes. They knew at that point Owen could not have survived on his own. (LEO is getting emotional again-- he is father and grandfather).
.....
That's all I've got time for... need to go get some dust out of my eyes now.... Love this police force-- very caring and compassionate people. Poor Owen and Selena.
