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Sam Penrod and Randall Jeppeson Reporting The search for a missing nine-month-old baby has turned into a murder mystery tonight. Investigators believe the baby is dead and her parents have left town, perhaps even left the country.
There are several important developments in the case today. Plus, new evidence the girl is dead and may be buried somewhere in Utah County.
The girl's body has not been found, but late this afternoon detectives found evidence they say points to a murder. So tonight, a criminal homicide case has been opened and the focus is on the girl's parents, Baldemar Espino and Yudit Lopez.
Utah County detectives and cadaver dogs spent the day searching an orchard west of Payson, apparently with information that a nine-month-old baby may be buried there.
They recovered evidence in this area late today that leads them to believe that the girl was killed.
Detectives are not saying exactly what they found or giving any ideas about a possible motive for the crime.
People who know the family came forward on Wednesday with information that the baby girl disappeared, and now so have her parents.
Lt. Darren Gilbert, Utah County Sheriff's Office: "The information we received from multiple sources indicates the baby was a healthy nine-month old baby. The additional information on top of that has come forward to us yesterday and the day before that. Do believe the baby is deceased."
Police got a break today when they found the couple's truck parked at the Greyhound Bus station in Provo.
It seems that investigators have evidence the parents bought bus tickets to Guadalajara, Mexico for themselves and their two other children, ages three and 20-months.
Lt. Darren Gilbert: "We do believe that the mother and father of the nine-month-old baby have left the country and are in Mexico at this time."
We do know the family has lived in Utah County for the last two years, and moved from Payson to Provo about a month ago.
Authorities do not believe the other two children are in any danger, but want to know they are okay, and that means finding the parents-- which now seems much more difficult.
