Missing 6-year-old found dead in tote bag in Texas motel room. Father's girlfriend arrested in connection to case.
June 2 2021, Published 7:20 p.m. ET
A missing child was found dead inside a Texas motel room and his father’s girlfriend was arrested in connection to the case.
Samuel Olson, 6, was reported missing on May 27 in the Houston area and on June 1, police found the remains of a boy they believed to be Olson in a motel two hours away.
Theresa Balboa, 29, was charged with tampering with evidence in connection to the case. Houston police Assistant Chief Heather Morris
While police believe the remains to be Olson, Morris said it will be up to a medical examiner to confirm the identity.
According to media reports, Olson was found in a tote bag at the motel.
Morris said Olson was reported missing in late May but was last in school on April 30, lending credence to the idea he was missing for weeks before it was reported.
Balboa told a story of police and Olson’s biological mother taking the child away, Morris said. Balboa said the mom and police arrived at the home on the morning of May 27 and threatened to take her to jail if she did not release the 6-year-old to his mother.
The mother and officer then left in separate cars, Balboa claimed.
When Olson’s father learned of the allegations, he contacted the child’s mom, who said she was at her own residence all day. Officers confirmed the child was not with his mom, Morris said.
Officers found several inconsistencies in Balboa’s statements and worked the investigation with the homicide unit, Morris said. Investigators got a search warrant and used it to raid Balboa’s home on June 1.
That same day, police in Jasper, Texas, received an anonymous phone call with a tip in the case that led them to the motel. Jasper is about 130 miles from Houston. When officers went to the hotel, they found the remains of a child believed to be Olson.
“It’s absolutely heartbreaking,” Morris said of the outcome.
The assistant chief added she was saddened about the events and their hearts went out to Olson’s family.
Police do not have a motive for the crime, Morris said. She added there are several people that investigators still want to interview. When the investigation is complete, the evidence will be presented to the district attorney for additional charges.
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