Body of Three-Year-Old Boy found Buried in Freezer at Indian Reservation

A three-year-old boy’s body was found buried under frozen food in a freezer located in a garage on an Indian Reservation outside of San Diego. A woman was taken into custody without incident after finding the boy and the woman’s boyfriend who had died from a gunshot wound to his chest.

San Diego7 reported that a woman initiated a 911 call to deputies around noon on Friday saying that her child was dead at her home on Quincy Canyon Road on the Barona Indian Reservation. Soon after someone called a Barona Tribal Enforcement officer notifying them of an attempted suicide at the same address.

When the BTE officer  arrived at the location a 32-year-old man came out of the home and talked to the officer. He walked back into the home and the officer then heard a gunshot. Shortly after a woman exited the house, shot gun in hand, proceeded to walk down the road, dropped the gun, and hid in some bushes.

A SWAT team arrived equipped with canine units, vehicles, fire engines and medical crews. Upon entering the home, the man who had earlier spoke with the BTE officer was found shot to death along with the boy.

SWAT team officers arrested 32-year-old Elaina Rose Welch at the scene. She was booked on two counts of murder into the Las Colinas Detention Facility.

Sheriff’s Lt. John Maryon explained, “It appears at this time she did shoot him. It’s just a matter of determining what caused that or if there was any circumstances behind that.”

Welch’s Aunt confirmed that her niece did have a three-year-old boy. Maryon added that, “It’s tragic, and if what we believe happened actually happened, it’s going to be absolutely devastating.”

In an updated version of the story released by ABC 10, Lisa Hernandez claims that her daughter Elaina Rose Welch “loved Roland (her son) and would never do anything to hurt him.” She suspects her boyfriend, who she identified as Rick Monggiotti, may have been responsible for the boy’s death.