Amber Alert Issued for Missing 2-Year-Old Texas Boy

Published: 6/2/2020, 7:15:02 AM EDT

Amber Alert Issued for Missing 2-Year-Old Texas Boy — Missing 2-year-old Waco boy Frankie Gonzalez in a file photo. (Waco Police Department)

Updated on June 2 at 2:15 p.m. ET:

The search for a missing Texas toddler ended with a tragic discovery Tuesday morning after officials located a body in a dumpster that matched the description of 2-year-old Frankie Gonzalez.

Officials located the body near Parklake Baptist Church in Waco around 8 a.m., approximately two and a half miles from Cameron Park where Gonzalez was reported missing Monday afternoon, KWTX reported.

Gonzalez was last seen that day around 2 p.m. by his mother Laura Sanchez, who told officials the boy disappeared after visiting the restrooms under a bridge in the park. Sanchez said at the time she only turned away briefly before notifying her son missing.

Authorities have now charged Sanchez on Tuesday with first-degree felony injury to a child, KXXV reported. Sanchez led detectives to the dumpster where they located the body of the child, authorities said.

"Frankie did not die of natural causes," Waco Police Department (WPD) officer Garen Bynum said

Detectives added the dumpster Sanchez led them to was located next to what appeared to be a "two-vehicle garage with a surveillance camera," KWTX reported.

Bynum said the body that was recovered is most likely Gonzalez, who was at the center of an Amber Alert. Officials said they will provide an update as soon as it becomes available and after the examiner's office conducted an autopsy on the body.

"This is a very tragic thing we’re having to deal with," Bynum said. "We’re all parents as well."

Previously:

Authorities in Texas have issued an Amber Alert for a missing boy from Waco, Texas, who was last seen Monday afternoon around 2 p.m.

"Attention Waco! We are currently looking for a missing 2-year-old boy. [His] name is Frankie Gonzalez," Waco Police Department (WPD) wrote on Facebook.

Police described Gonzalez as a Caucasian male, approximately 2 feet 6 inches tall with black hair and brown eyes.

The boy was last seen wearing a red Mickey Mouse shirt, gray pants, and black and white Nike sneakers.

Authorities noted in the Amber Alert that Gonzalez is believed to be in grave or immediate danger, though a potential abductor or vehicle description was not given.

Gonzalez went missing while visiting the restrooms under a bridge in Cameron Park near University Parks in Waco, authorities said.

Local news outlet KWTX reported a helicopter joined the search on Monday, as well as SWAT team members, a bloodhound team, and trained K-9s in the hope of locating the child.

Authorities called off the search Monday evening around 8:30 p.m. and planned to continue Tuesday early in the morning.

WPD is urging anyone with information or who has seen Gonzalez to call 911 or the department at (254) 750-7500.

Missing 2-year-old Waco boy Frankie Gonzalez in a file photo. (Waco Police Department) — Missing 2-year-old Waco boy Frankie Gonzalez in a file photo. Waco Police Department

Cameron Park

Cameron Park is one of the state's largest metropolitan parks, according to the website of the city of Waco.

The park is situated near to the Brazos River and inside an oasis with towering trees, two rivers, and cliffs.

Hikers and bikers share the park with fishermen, disc golfers, and picnickers. Many outdoor school activities are held at the park's zoo.