RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA – A desperate search for a missing 7-month-old boy has taken a tragic and startling turn, as authorities announced Friday the arrest of the infant's parents on suspicion of murder. The baby’s mother had initially reported him abducted during a violent home invasion.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department confirmed that Ricardo Mendez, 27, and Ruby Mendez, 25, were taken into custody in connection with the disappearance and presumed death of their son, Maddox Mendez. The infant remains missing, but investigators stated they have uncovered sufficient evidence to believe he is deceased.

The case, which began with a frightening report of a stranger abduction, has now become a homicide investigation centered on the very people entrusted with the child's care.

A Shifting Narrative

The ordeal began on the morning of Thursday, August 21, when Ruby Mendez placed a frantic 911 call from her home on the 7300 block of Vintner Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga. She told dispatchers that three unknown men had forced their way into her residence, assaulted her, and fled with her infant son.

The report triggered an immediate and extensive response from local and regional law enforcement. An Amber Alert was being prepared as deputies canvassed the neighborhood, searching for any sign of the child or the alleged assailants. The initial story sent a wave of fear through the quiet Southern California community.

However, as homicide detectives took over the investigation, the focus began to shift. In a statement released Friday afternoon, the Sheriff’s Department noted that investigators "discovered inconsistencies in the mother’s statement," which cast doubt on the home invasion scenario.

Investigation Uncovers Inconsistencies

Throughout Thursday and into Friday, detectives conducted a thorough investigation, which included multiple interviews with both parents and a forensic examination of the home. The Sheriff's Department did not specify the nature of the inconsistencies but stated that evidence gathered at the scene and during questioning led them to suspect the parents were responsible for their son’s disappearance.

"Homicide Detectives continued the investigation and, after interviewing the parents, arrested them for the murder of their seven-month-old son," the official department statement read.

Ricardo and Ruby Mendez were arrested on Friday and booked into the Central Detention Center on suspicion of murder. They are currently being held without bail, pending a court appearance scheduled for early next week where formal charges are expected to be filed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office.

The Search for Maddox Continues

Despite the arrests, the most critical part of the case remains unresolved: the location of Maddox Mendez. Law enforcement officials have launched a large-scale search operation in several undisclosed areas of San Bernardino County. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant but have not requested volunteer assistance at this time, indicating the sensitive nature of the search.

Legal experts note that while prosecuting a murder case without a body presents challenges, it is not impossible. Prosecutors can rely on circumstantial evidence, forensic findings, and statements to build a case. The "no body" provision in homicide law allows for such prosecutions when there is strong evidence to suggest the victim is deceased and the defendant is responsible.

The motive for the alleged crime has not been released. As the community reels from the shocking turn of events, the primary focus for investigators remains on recovering the infant's remains to provide a final, tragic answer in this devastating case.