He Vanished From His Idaho Street at Age 5. Now, 4 Years Later, Why Is a Suspect Charged?

YOU NEED TO KNOW

• One person arrested in connection with the disappearance of a 5-year-old child

• Michael Vaughan was last seen outside his home in Fruitland, Idaho, in July 2021.

• Stacey Wondra and ex-wife Sarah Wondra have been named as suspects in 2022, but only Stacey faces kidnapping and murder charges

A little more than four years after a 5-year-old boy disappeared in Idaho, a suspect has been charged in his disappearance.

Michael Vaughan was last seen on July 27, 2021, outside his home in Fruitland, located about 55 miles northwest of Boise, authorities said. Idaho News, Idaho Statesman And KTVB.

On Friday, October 31, the Payette County Prosecutor’s Office made an announcement: Press release He said prosecutors “continue to move forward with charges against individuals involved in the disappearance and murder of 5-year-old Michael Vaughan.”

Although the office did not release the names of the suspects, Payette County Sheriff Andy Creech confirmed this. Statesman It was stated that 33-year-old Stacey Wondra was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping and destruction of evidence.

Stacey and his ex-wife Sarah Wondra were named as suspects by local police in 2022 after investigators dug through their backyard looking for the child’s unfound remains. Statesman reported.

Police said they received a tip from someone living in the home at the time that the child’s remains were there, KTVB reported.

Following the call, Sarah was charged with failure to report a death, but prosecutors later dropped that charge. Statesman. It was determined that there were two more people of interest in the case. It’s unclear if he faces new charges in connection with the 5-year-old boy’s disappearance.

“Our greatest hope was always to save Michael, but delays now pose the risk of further harm to his loved ones,” prosecutors said in the statement. “We believe we know the individuals involved in this incident and are committed to bringing justice whether Michael recovers or not.”

Want to keep up with the latest crime news? Sign up PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter For breaking crime news, ongoing trial news and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Both suspects are currently serving prison sentences for crimes unrelated to the child’s disappearance, media reported.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Payette County Prosecutor’s Office for additional comment.

The boy’s mother, Brandi Neal, told KTVB on Friday that the family was hoping to get more details about the location of the boy’s remains following news of the charges.

“This is just the beginning of a difficult road that we know lies ahead,” he said, according to the outlet. “We are here. We want justice. Michael will get his justice! We want Michael home and we will never stop until Michael comes home.”

Read the original article People