Crime

Child’s body found in Merced residence during search for missing girl, police say

A body was found in a house in the 500 block of Barclay Way in Merced when serving a search warrant on the home in pursuit of a missing girl. Those who knew the girl left stuffed animals and candles in front of the house, and wrote messages on the street in front of the house in chalk.
A body was found in a house in the 500 block of Barclay Way in Merced when serving a search warrant on the home in pursuit of a missing girl. Those who knew the girl left stuffed animals and candles in front of the house, and wrote messages on the street in front of the house in chalk. Madeline Shannon

Related story: Child’s body found in Merced residence during search for missing girl, police say

Merced police on Friday said they located the body of a child inside a home during the search for 8-year-old Sophia Mason.

Police said in a news release they are still working to positively identify the body that was found.

Officers served a search warrant on a home in the 500 block of Barclay Way near M Street in Merced on Friday and found the child’s body inside. Police were acting on information from Hayward police.

Detectives and crime scene investigators processed the scene and conducted a thorough canvass of the area for witnesses and additional information, according to the release.

Hayward police contacted local law enforcement

Merced police on Friday said they located the body of a child inside a home during the search for 8-year-old Sophia Mason.

Police said in a news release they are still working to positively identify the body that was found.

Officers served a search warrant on a home in the 500 block of Barclay Way near M Street in Merced on Friday and found the child’s body inside. Police were acting on information from Hayward police.

Detectives and crime scene investigators processed the scene and conducted a thorough canvass of the area for witnesses and additional information, according to the release.

Hayward police contacted local law enforcement

Earlier on Friday, Merced police said they were notified Sophia Mason was missing by officers from the Hayward Police Department.

Merced police Detective Sgt. Kalvin Haygood. said the child has family in Hayward, and they originally reported her missing.

Mason was last seen on Feb. 10 in the Merced area. The Hayward Police Department took the child’s mother into custody, and the girl was not with her, Haygood said.

The mother is still in the custody of Hayward police. Police also contacted the mother’s boyfriend, who said he didn’t know the girl’s whereabouts.

Anyone with information about the missing girl can call Detective John Pinnegar at 209-388-7712 or write to pinnegarj@cityofmerced.org.

Tips are kept confidential and you can remain anonymous.

This story was originally published March 11, 2022 at 9:16 PM with the headline "Child’s body found in Merced residence during search for missing girl, police say."

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