FRUITLAND, Idaho (AP) — Police in southwestern Idaho have arrested a woman in connection with the disappearance of a 5-year-old boy who went missing more than a year ago.
Fruitland Police Chief J.D. Huff said investigators believe 35-year-old Sarah Wondra may have known about the child’s death, Boise TV station said. Reported by KTVBShe is charged with failing or delaying notification of death, felony.
Court records do not indicate whether Wondra had an attorney. She was scheduled to appear in court for the first time on Monday afternoon.
Michael Vaughan was last seen on July 27, 2021 outside his parents’ home in the rural town of Fruitland in southwestern Idaho, about 80.47 kilometers northwest of Boise. Police and other law enforcement agencies searched the area for months, but found no trace of the child.
On Saturday, investigators began searching again, using a tractor and specially trained dogs to dig up the backyard of the Fruitland home, not far from the Vaughan home.
“During the course of the investigation, we received information that the body of Michael Vaughan may be found…as a result, we have obtained a search warrant,” Huff said Saturday.
On Monday, Huff told KTVB that a credible lead brought police to the house and that Wondra was one of the residents.
“We think she’s not the only one who knows about this, and we’re looking for anyone we could relate to,” Huff said.
Investigators unearthed much of the house’s backyard, looking for Vaughan’s remains. Huff said he plans to excavate the entire yard.