Californian arrested for allegedly kidnapping his grandson and killing his mother

A Californian has been arrested after allegedly kidnapping his two-year-old son and killing the toddler’s biological mother.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Celestine John Stoot Jr., 42, fled the scene of the murder that took place at a home in Lakeland Village, Calif., On Monday, July 5. The body of Natasha Denise Barlow, 43, was reportedly discovered the same day.

Authorities say Stoot took his son with Barlow, Celestine Stoot III with him, and the two were found in Las Vegas around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Celestine is “unharmed and the police are reuniting him with his family,” the department said in a statement. Stoot “will be held in the Clark County Jail pending his extradition to Riverside County,” the department said, according to PEOPLE.

On Monday, an Amber alert was issued but deactivated once Stoot and his son were found. Police have not disclosed how Natasha died, but Los Angeles KTLA station reported that her family claim she was shot and killed. According to Natasha’s sister, Lakeisha Barlow, her body was discovered during a welfare check after her family could not get in touch with her.

Natasha’s older sister, Genique Stanford, told the news channel that Barlow is a mother of seven.

“She has four young children, ages 15 to 2, who need their moms and don’t have a mom now,” Stanford said.

The investigation of the incident is currently underway.