Crime & Safety
Second Arrest in Connection with Abduction, Double Murder, Child Still Missing
Police now say the missing toddler was taken by an "unknown abductor."
Updated: 6:30 p.m., Aug. 11:
A second man has been arrested in connection with an apparent double murder and the kidnapping of a toddler in Johnston Sunday morning.
Deputy Chief Daniel Parrillo of Johnston Police said Daniel Rodriguez, 28, of Providence, is in Providence Police custody following his arrest Sunday afternoon.
Malcolm Crowell, 22, was arrested by Massachusetts State Police in Fall River, MA., earlier Sunday afternoon at his workplace, Parrillo added.
The whereabouts of the child, Isaiah Perez, are still unknown, Parrillo said in a news conference outside Johnston Police Headquarters.
"We believe because of the familial relationships that he's still somewhere in the state, we hope, and he'll be accessible to us in a short amount of time," Parrillo said, adding that investigators are speaking with other family members and known contacts.
The identities of the two victims have not yet been released, pending identification by next of kin, and Parrillo declined to discuss what their relationship to the missing toddler may be.
Parrillo also said investigators have not determined a motive for the men involved.
"It's still an ongoing investigation, and it's still expanding," Parrillo explained.
No charges had yet been filed against the two men by 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Parrillo confirmed.
Two other children were located alive in the house by Johnston Police Officers who responded to the scene. Both were taken into police custody and had not been returned to family as of 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Parrillo expressed hope that the child would be found quickly and safely. Members of the Providence, Johnston, and Rhode Island and Massachusetts State Police Departments, the Federal Bureau of Identification, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are all cooperating in the investigation and search for the missing toddler.
"I would hope that, whoever is with this child right now, would turn him over to authorities and we can have a great ending to the day," Parrillo told the assembled media. "It's a very sad day, but hopefully we can find this child — his safety is of utmost importance right now."
A group of family members gathered at police headquarters did not wish to speak to the media.
From earlier:
More information about the apparent double murder and abduction of a 2-year-old from a Johnston home is expected this afternoon after a planned press conference at Johnston Police headquarters, Dep Chief Daniel Parrillo said.
Updates from the press conference will be posted shortly.
The Amber Alert issued earlier Sunday morning for 2-year-old Isaiah Perez of Johnston remains in effect. Earlier, multiple media outlets reported that 22-year-old Malcolm Crowell was wanted for the abduction. It is unclear if he was arrested this afternoon in Fall River, MA, but the alert of the missing toddler has been updated to state that he was taken by an "unknown abductor."
Perez stands about 3-ft.-4-in. tall and weighs about 40 pounds. He might be wearing a bracelet of some kind on his right wrist.
With reporting by Joe Hutnak.
A second man has been arrested in connection with an apparent double murder and the kidnapping of a toddler in Johnston Sunday morning.
Deputy Chief Daniel Parrillo of Johnston Police said Daniel Rodriguez, 28, of Providence, is in Providence Police custody following his arrest Sunday afternoon.
Malcolm Crowell, 22, was arrested by Massachusetts State Police in Fall River, MA., earlier Sunday afternoon at his workplace, Parrillo added.
The whereabouts of the child, Isaiah Perez, are still unknown, Parrillo said in a news conference outside Johnston Police Headquarters.
"We believe because of the familial relationships that he's still somewhere in the state, we hope, and he'll be accessible to us in a short amount of time," Parrillo said, adding that investigators are speaking with other family members and known contacts.
The identities of the two victims have not yet been released, pending identification by next of kin, and Parrillo declined to discuss what their relationship to the missing toddler may be.
Parrillo also said investigators have not determined a motive for the men involved.
"It's still an ongoing investigation, and it's still expanding," Parrillo explained.
No charges had yet been filed against the two men by 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Parrillo confirmed.
Two other children were located alive in the house by Johnston Police Officers who responded to the scene. Both were taken into police custody and had not been returned to family as of 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Parrillo expressed hope that the child would be found quickly and safely. Members of the Providence, Johnston, and Rhode Island and Massachusetts State Police Departments, the Federal Bureau of Identification, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are all cooperating in the investigation and search for the missing toddler.
"I would hope that, whoever is with this child right now, would turn him over to authorities and we can have a great ending to the day," Parrillo told the assembled media. "It's a very sad day, but hopefully we can find this child — his safety is of utmost importance right now."
A group of family members gathered at police headquarters did not wish to speak to the media.
From earlier:
More information about the apparent double murder and abduction of a 2-year-old from a Johnston home is expected this afternoon after a planned press conference at Johnston Police headquarters, Dep Chief Daniel Parrillo said.
Updates from the press conference will be posted shortly.
The Amber Alert issued earlier Sunday morning for 2-year-old Isaiah Perez of Johnston remains in effect. Earlier, multiple media outlets reported that 22-year-old Malcolm Crowell was wanted for the abduction. It is unclear if he was arrested this afternoon in Fall River, MA, but the alert of the missing toddler has been updated to state that he was taken by an "unknown abductor."
Perez stands about 3-ft.-4-in. tall and weighs about 40 pounds. He might be wearing a bracelet of some kind on his right wrist.
With reporting by Joe Hutnak.
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