In a chilling incident in New Mexico, a man has been arrested following the alleged murder of his 11-month-old child during what was supposed to be a routine walk. Authorities say the child was then partially buried in a secluded location, casting a shadow of tragedy over the community.

John Hannon, 43, faces serious charges including child abuse resulting in death and tampering with evidence, as reported by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. The case unraveled when a local resident contacted the police on Sunday, after noticing a suspicious individual pushing a stroller past their home in the remote area of Flora Vista, near the Four Corners region, the previous day. Sheriff Shane Ferrari shared details of the case in a video posted on Facebook.

Responding to the tip, deputies arrived at the scene but found no one present, only an abandoned stroller. Later on that same Sunday, the mother of the missing infant contacted deputies, revealing her baby had been missing since Saturday afternoon. She reported that Hannon, the father, had taken the baby and another child, aged four, in a stroller to a nearby Dollar General store but returned with only the older child. Hannon allegedly told her a grandparent had picked up the baby, according to Ferrari.

Upon receiving the call about the missing child, a deputy connected the dots with the earlier report of the abandoned stroller. Authorities confirmed it was Hannon who had been seen pushing the stroller, though the footage did not clearly show a child inside. When law enforcement visited Hannon’s residence, they found him hiding inside after he refused to come out. Disturbingly, the baby was not with him.

“Hannon provided conflicting accounts when questioned about the baby’s whereabouts,” Ferrari stated.

Hannon was apprehended on an unrelated felony warrant while investigators continued their search in the vicinity where the stroller was found. Although they discovered clothing belonging to both Hannon and the baby, the infant remained missing. The search for the child was intensified and expanded at daybreak on Monday, as authorities worked tirelessly to uncover the truth behind this heart-wrenching case.

“Sadly, at approximately 10 a.m. the search team found the partially buried body of the 11-month-old baby,” the sheriff said.

A medical examiner determined the manner of death to be homicide, although Ferrari did not divulge the cause of death. Deputies declined to release the baby’s name. They are still investigating a motive and what led up to the baby’s death.

“There is no greater evil than individuals who hurt and kill children. You have my word we will do everything in our power to bring justice to this precious child,” Ferrari said.

Hannon is in the San Juan County Adult Detention Center without bond. It’s unclear when he will next appear in court.