Boy, 4, died while in custody of leaders of cult-like group; police reopen investigation

Two weeks after the leaders of a cult-like group within the Inland Empire had been arrested, police have reopened an investigation into the dying of a 4-year-old boy who had been positioned of their custody.

On Thursday, the Colton Police Division introduced that it was reviewing new leads and actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the January 2010 dying of 4-year-old Timothy Thomas.

“On the time of his dying, momentary custody of Timothy Thomas had been signed over from his delivery dad and mom to leaders of His Method Spirit Led Assemblies,” the division mentioned in a information launch.

On Aug. 14, authorities arrested a husband and spouse who run the Hemet-based spiritual group as a part of an ongoing investigation into the suspicious disappearance, and potential murder, of one of many group’s members, authorities mentioned.

Pastor Darryl Muzic Martin, 57, and his spouse, “Prophetess” Shelly Bailey Martin, 62 had been arrested as an investigation continues into the disappearance of Emilio Ghanem, 40, based on the Redlands Police Division. Police are additionally looking for a person related to the group who disappeared in 2017.

The couple had been arrested on suspicion of possessing unlawful weapons. They’re each now out of custody and haven’t been charged.

Ghanem went lacking in Might 2023 shortly after parting methods with the spiritual group and opening a pest management firm that competed with a enterprise operated by a bunch chief. Earlier this yr, Redlands police mentioned they discovered the rental truck he was final seen driving “together with further proof.”

His disappearance is being investigated as a possible murder, based on metropolis of Redlands spokesperson Carl Baker.

Redlands police are helping Claremont police as they examine the disappearance of Perris resident Ruben Moreno, who was additionally affiliated with His Method Spirit Led Assemblies, based on police. Claremont police say Moreno was final seen in December 2017 at a Claremont dwelling the place group members used to collect.