UPDATED--DEVELOPING-: AMBER ALERT ISSUED FOR MISSING BABY FROM CARTHAGE

AMBER ALERT ISSUED FOR MISSING BABY FROM CARTHAGE

The Missouri Highway Patrol and the Carthage Police Department have issued an Amber Alert for a missing Hispanic infant from Jasper County.

Authorities say 8 month-old Eddie Alegandro Salazar Jr., was last seen when two masked men allegedly broke into the family's home at 227 E. Mound around 11 p.m. last night. Eddie Salazar Sr., told cops that the suspects assaulted him while he was asleep on a couch, and rendered him unconscious before they ransacked the house and kidnapped little Eddie.

Salazar Sr., 29, was treated for his injuries at his home and was not transported to any medical facility. At this point, neither parent has made an on camera or audio appeal to the public for help in finding little Eddie and authorities have been tight lipped when asked if the family has received any ransom demands.

• 8 month-old Eddie Salazar--Hispanic


• weighs about 20 pounds, black hair, brown eyes


• lung shaped birthmark on upper right arm.


• last seen wearing a blue short sleeve body suit (onesy) and white socks.

Police don't have any suspect information and don't know where they might have taken the little boy. Investigators are looking into an early morning traffic stop that involved two men with a baby but don't know if it's in any way connected to the kidnapping.

The Salazar's, who have an older child, moved into the quiet neighborhood not far from the town square last summer. A search of online court records reveal that Eddie Salazar Sr., has an extensive criminal record.

Authorities are still chasing down leads and combing streets, garbage cans, ditches, and storm drains for any sign of the infant. They also halted rail traffic and halted garbage pickup in the city in an effort to locate the little boy. A landfill operated by Allied Waste in Galena, KS, was also searched after law enforcers contacted the company.

Cops say that the little boys disappearance not related to any custodial or parental kidnapping situation.

Searchers are also combing Kellogg City Lake in eastern Jasper County as well as the Spring River that runs through the city.

A command center has been set up at the family home and authorities have brought in an interpreter to aid them because the father is bilingual and the mother speaks limited English.

If you know anything about the abduction call 911 or the Carthage Police at (417)237-7200.

UPDATE 6:45 p.m.:

Authorities have scheduled a news conference for 2 p.m. tomorrow (02-06-10.)

UPDATE 02-06-10:

BREAKING~~DEVELOPING~~BABY FOUND DEAD--FATHER CHARGED WITH FILING FALSE POLICE REPORT; CHIEF SUSPECT IN DEATH:

Eddie Salazar Sr.

BREAKING NEWS~~~Authorities Have Found Eddie Salazar, Jr. Dead In Spring River

The father who reported that two masked men broke into his Carthage home late Thursday night and stole his baby has been charged with filing a false police report connected to the baby's disappearance.

Authorities say that Eddie Salazar, Sr., gave them the name of a man who broke into his house at 227 E. Mound that he said was responsible for taking his 8 month-old son Eddie Salazar Jr.

After cops interrogated the man for several hours they were confident he had nothing to do with the baby Eddie's disappearance and went back to Salazar who admitted that the story was bogus. Other details provided by Salazar were also proven to be lies as well according to authorities.

Police now say that Salazar was home alone with two children when baby Eddie went missing.

Authorities moved the Jasper County 911 mobile command post that was stationed outside the home on E. Mound last night (02-05-10) and zeroed in on the Spring River after Salazar Sr. provided them with additional information regarding the baby's disappearance and concentrated their efforts near a bridge on County Road 85 after they got a "tip."

About 3:00 p.m. Water Patrol officers recovered the little boys body wedged against a tree branch not far from the bridge.

Authorities would not elaborate on who the tip came from nor divulge what the tipster told them. We will have to wait on probable cause statements to be filed to fill in the blanks in this case that has garnered national headlines.

Authorities are confident they have the person responsible for baby Eddie's death. They Eddie Salazar Sr. is the chief and only suspect in his sons death. An autopsy on the little boy has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday in Columbia.

Heavy snow and single digit temperatures have been forecast for the Ozarks which intensified searchers resolve to find the little boy.

At a news conference today (02-06-10) Chief Dagnan says the child's mother, Yasidra Aguilar, wasn't home at the time little Eddie went missing and she had anything to do with her baby's disappearance.

Salazar has an extensive criminal history. He has served time in prison for property damage and robbery. He was also sentenced to 15 days "shock" time for stalking in 2001.

At this point, Salazar has only been charged with filing a false police report in connection to his sons disappearance. He is also facing DWI charges related to an October 2009 incident.

He is being held on $100,00 bond.

FULL PRESS RELEASE:

AT APPROXIAMATELY 3:00 PM, 02-06-10 THE BODY OF CHILD BELIEVED TO BE EDDIE SALAZAR, THE MISSING EIGHT MONTH OLD WAS LOCATED IN SRRING RIVER.

THE PRIMARY SUSPECT IN THE DEATH OF THE INFANT IS EDDIE SALAZAR, 02/02/82, THE CHILD'S FATHER.

AGENCIES CONTINUE TO VOLUNTEER INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES AND LEADS WILL CONTINUE TO BE INVESTIGATED INTO THE NIGHT TONIGHT.

A FORMAL PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD TONIGHT, 02/06/10 IN CARTHAGE MEMORIAL HALL AT 7:30 P.M.

***house image KOLR