Juliani Cardenas case: Body found believed to be missing four-year-old boy

Juliani Cardenas case: Body found believed to be missing four-year-old boy

The Amber Alert for missing four-year-old boy, Juliani Cardenas has been canceled as authorities believe the body found of a child pulled from the Delta-Mendota Canal just before 7:30 am, Tuesday, February 1, 2011 is that of Juliani. DNA testing will be performed to make a positive identification; those results are expected within the next two to three weeks. Though a positive id cannot be made until DNA tests are confirmed, Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson said during a press conference that the physical description and clothing worn by the child retrieved from the canal matched that of Juliani Cardenas.

When asked if there was any doubt in his mind that it was Juliani Sheriff Christianson answered, “Based upon the physical description and the clothing description which matches, that provided to us of our kidnapping victim.”

The body of Juliani’s abductor, Jose Rodriguez, has not been recovered. Though Sheriff Christianson said all indication points to the reality of Jose Rodriguez being in the canal; a warrant was issued for his arrest. The investigation is now an official homicide case. Sheriff Christianson said, “Again, this is an ongoing, homicide investigation. We will continue our efforts to try to find and locate Jose Rodriguez. We don’t have any plans of dive operations at this point.

“All of our evidence and witness statements, which are corroborated by that evidence leads us to believe that Jose Rodriguez is probably also in the canal. But until we recover him, we’re going to continue with the homicide investigation; issue a warrant for his arrest; like we would any other homicide investigation.”

Juliani Cardenas was abducted from his grandmother’s arms on Tuesday, January 19, 2011. An eyewitness reported to authorities seeing a car matching the suspect’s description driving into the canal. You may see the video of the press conference here: Juliani Cardenas Press Conference

Slideshow: Juliani Cardenas kidnapped, Amber Alert issued

Video: Amber Alert issued for Juliani Cardenas, four years old