Amber Alert Update: Toddler Found Alive After Mother's Slaying

LOS ANGELES — A Southland man suspected of killing his girlfriend and abducting their two-year-old son was arrested in Las Vegas Tuesday following an intense manhunt.

Celestine John Stoot Jr., 42, was arrested and his son was found unharmed and law enforcement was in the process of reuniting him with his family Tuesday.

Stoot Jr. had last been seen Monday when Riverside County sheriff's investigators allege that he killed Natasha Denise Barlow of San Jacinto. Law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles and across Southern California had asked the public to look out for him and his 2-year-old son.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Deanna Pecoraro, the attack occurred Monday afternoon at a residence in the 17000 block of Hayes Avenue in Lake Elsinore.

Pecoraro said patrol deputies were called to the location to investigate reports of a death and found the 43-year-old woman inside the home. The exact cause of Barlow's death was not specified, and there was no mention of a possible motive.

According to Pecoraro, detectives immediately identified Stoot as the alleged assailant and suspected that he had fled with his son, Celestine Stoot III.

An Amber Alert was issued Monday in connection with the abduction of Celestine Stoot III by his father, Celestine Stoot Jr., according to the California Highway Patrol. Authorities warn that Celestine Stoot Jr. is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees him or the child should call 911.

Stoot was booked into the Nevada County Jail and will be extradited to Riverside County, according to the sheriff's department.

City News Service contributed to this report.