Audio By Carbonatix
A California man has been arrested after he allegedly abducted his two-year-old son and killed the toddler’s biological mother.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, 42-year-old Celestine John Stoot Jr. fled the scene of the slaying which took place inside 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 at around 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday.
Celestine was "unharmed and law enforcement is in the process of reuniting him with his family," the department said in a press release. Stoot "will be booked into 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 revealed how Natasha died, but Los Angeles station KTLA reported her family claims she was fatally shot. According to Natasha’s sister, Lakeisha Barlow, her body was discovered during a welfare check after her family couldn’t get in touch with her.
Natasha’s oldest sister, Genique Stanford, told the news station that Barlow was a mother of seven.
"She has four young children, from 15 to 2 years old, who need their mom and who now don't have a mom," Stanford said.
The investigation into the incident is currently ongoing.
Latest Stories
-
UK High Commissioner urges patience as Ghanaian PhD students await scholarship payments
2 minutes -
Kotoko’s Karim Zito and Prince Yaw Owusu charged after GoldStars game
7 minutes -
Joy FM sets stage for Big Workout 2026 at University of Ghana Stadium
12 minutes -
Today’s front pages: Monday, January 19, 2026
42 minutes -
Ghanaian family disowns relative after fraud conviction in Australia
51 minutes -
GoldBod data shows 98.8% of Ghana’s small scale gold exports went to Dubai and India in 2025
53 minutes -
Kofi Bentil says Ofori-Atta is hesitant to return over treatment, not charges
58 minutes -
GSA debunks cement price hike claims, says Jan. 19 increase is false
1 hour -
Driver rams into robbers, foils MoMo robbery at Darkuman
1 hour -
Smallholders at the centre: Why innovation and diversification are pivotal for Africa’s food future
1 hour -
Plans underway to establish museum on northern Ghana’s slave history in Navrongo
1 hour -
4 killed including two children as runaway truck ploughed into Salon at Kumawu
2 hours -
Open letter to Chief Justice on judicial security, specialised prosecution and extradition
2 hours -
NACSA warns of arrests as final gun amnesty deadline approaches
2 hours -
Eastern NPP Chairman backs Bryan Acheampong for 2028 flagbearer slot
2 hours
