According to a United States Marshals press release, 34-year-old Edgar Salvador Casian-Garcia and his girlfriend, 38-year-old Araceli Medina were arrested in Mexico. The pair were both wanted in connection to an alleged murder of a child and abandonment of two other children. Both fugitives were handcuffed on March 22, 2023, the Marshals added.

Casian-Garcia and Medina were on the run from Washington state after the father’s 8-year-old son was found allegedly tortured and murdered and his two other girls were abandoned in Tijuana, Mexico, PEOPLE reported.

A main concern for law enforcement, and for the public, was the couple was believed to be traveling with their other young children. The Marshals confirmed five children were safely recovered during the arrest and returned to the United States, the release added.

Those children are now in protective custody and specifically with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families, authorities added.

Kennewick detective Jon Davis told PEOPLE in a previous statement, “This is the worst case I’ve come across in nine years as a detective. What we’ve seen from this investigation, they have no problem hurting children — to outright murder.”

John Bischoff, who oversees the missing child division for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said in a press release, “We are so thankful that all five missing children have been rescued safely.”

Bischoff added, “The charges against Araceli Medina and Edgar Casian-Garcia are heinous and we commend the unwavering dedication of law enforcement. This successful rescue is a testament to the critical importance of collaboration and community involvement in safeguarding our most vulnerable population.”

ORIGINAL: 02/24/23

Couple Added To Most Wanted List For Murder And Alleged Heinous Crimes Against Their Children

There are two new additions to the United States Marshals Service's Top 15 Most Wanted. U.S. Marshals say 34-year-old Edgar Casian-Garcia and his girlfriend, 38-year-old Araceli Medina, are wanted for aggravated murder of a child in the first degree.

The couple, according to a press release, is also wanted for four counts of rape of a child in the first degree and three counts of assault of a child, also in the first degree.

In 2020, Casian-Garcia’s two young girls were found abandoned and assaulted in Tijuana, Mexico, the Marshals said in a press release. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) said the young girls were dumped at a gas station.

After the children, ages 8 and 3, were eventually interviewed, authorities found the victims had been abused and sex trafficked. “Both girls showed signs of severe physical and sexual abuse,” the Marshals added.

In addition, the children’s brother who was only 7-years-old had been missing. Edgar Casian Jr.’s body was discovered in February 2022 in Washington state. The child had been tortured and dumped, the report added. Fox Q 13 reports Edgar Casian Jr. was reported missing in May 2021, but he was last seen alive in September 2020.

At this point, it’s possible five other young children are missing and the Marshals believe those kids could be in danger. Three of the children belong to Medina, the Marshals said, and it’s possible the other two are children the couple shares together.

Detective Jon Davis told NCMEC, “This is the worst case I’ve come across in nine years as a detective… What we’ve seen from this investigation, they have no problem hurting children – to outright murder.”

According to the press release, authorities have followed up on a number of leads and believe the couple are in or around Mazatlan, Sinaloa, or Tepic, Nayarit.

U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald L. Davis said, “Edgar Salvador Casian-Garcia and Araceli Medina are accused of the most heinous crimes against the most vulnerable victims – their own children.”

Casian-Garcia stands 6 feet tall and weighs 220 pounds. He was born on September 18, 1988. Medina stands 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 125 pounds. She was born on June 30, 1984. There is a large reward from the U.S. Marshals for information leading to these suspects.

The U.S. Marshals would like anyone with information to come forward and call their hotline directly: 1-877-WANTED2 send a tip through the USMS Tips App.