Texas mom who vanished with toddler arrested; blood found on missing child’s sheets, police say

SAN ANTONIO — A Texas mother who vanished with her young son is now in police custody as authorities continue to search for the missing toddler, authorities said.

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According to KENS and KABB, San Antonio police announced Tuesday that they arrested D’Lanny Reaneille Chairez, 20, on a charge of abandoning or endangering a child in connection with the disappearance of her 18-month-old son, James.

In court documents, police said they found Chairez and questioned her at the department’s headquarters Monday, more than two months after she and the boy were last seen together on a Walgreen’s security camera Jan. 4.

“The suspect refused to answer any questions pertaining to the whereabouts of the victim but spoke about wanting to give him up for adoption,” the documents said, according to KENS. “The suspect spoke at length about her mental health issues and wanted the victim to be in a better place. She also spoke about not being ready to be a mother. She stated that the victim ‘deserves better.’”

The documents also alleged that Chairez previously told a family member “inconsistent” stories about the toddler’s whereabouts, saying “she gave him away to multiple different people for adoption.”

Police said a Walgreen’s camera showed Chairez inside the store Feb. 21, but the child was not with her, the news outlets reported.

“From this date to the present, the suspect is only seen without the victim,” the documents said, adding that family members last saw the boy on Thanksgiving.

According to the documents, police searched Chairez’s home multiple times and discovered “apparent blood ... on a sheet that is consistent with a crib sheet.” Tests confirmed that the substance was human blood, the documents said. Investigators also said James’ car seat, stroller and other items remained in the home, KENS reported.

San Antonio police continue to look for James and are asking anyone who may have seen him to call the department’s missing persons unit at 210-207-7660.

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Cox Media Group