Full Notification

DATE/TIME:              Friday, June 21, 2019

INCIDENT:                Search for the body of Duke Flores    

LOCATION:               Victorville Landfill    

SUSPECTS:             Jackee Raquel Contreras, age 29; Jennifer Rachel Contreras, age 29 both residents of Apple Valley 

VICTIM:                      Duke Flores, age 6 a resident of Apple Valley  

SUMMARY: 

On Friday, June 21, 2019, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department have ended their search for the remains of Duke Flores.  The search at the Victorville Landfill began on April 29^thand continued until June 21^st; the recovery effort ended with no remains found.

Numerous Homicide Detectives, deputies throughout the department, Sheriff’s Department volunteers, K-9 Units, Coroner Investigators, District Attorney Investigators, and personnel from the landfill dedicated 8 weeks to the search.  The initial search area of approximately 70 feet by 70 feet by 10 feet in depth, was expanded to 75 yards in length, 60 yards in depth and 20 feet in height an estimated 6500 - 7000 tons, 13 - 14 million pounds of material was searched.

On April 25^th, Duke’s grandmother requested deputies conduct a welfare check on her 6-year-old grandson as she had not seen him and was becoming concerned for his wellbeing.  When deputies responded to the home, they were told by the child’s mother, Jackee Contreras, that she had not seen him for approximately two weeks. Jackee Contreras was arrested on April 25^thfor Child Neglect for not reporting her son missing. Following an interview with Jackee Contreras on April 27^th, detectives booked her for Murder. On Saturday, April 27^th, following interviews with family members, detectives arrested Duke’s aunt, Jennifer Contreras. She was booked for Murder.

Through investigation, detectives had reason to believe that Jackee and Jennifer hold responsibility for the disappearance and death of Duke Flores. They think the sister’s discarded the boy’s body in a dumpster near the family home on Cherokee Avenue in Apple Valley. The suspects remain in custody and are scheduled for court on June 26^th

“This is not the outcome we had hoped for, “Sheriff John McMahon added “but we knew going into this search that there was a chance we would not locate Duke.  I am extremely proud of the dedication shown by every person who continued to show up day after day, desperately hoping to locate the young boy.”

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone who may have information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Specialized Investigations Division, Detective Narcie Sousa at (909) 387-3589 or Sheriff’s dispatch at (909) 387-8313.  Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or www.wetip.com

Refer:             Detective Narci Sousa or Sergeant AJ Gibilterra

Station:          Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail

Phone No.:    (909) 387-3589

Case No.:      181901918 H# 2019-035 

JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner

San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department