San Antonio Police Start Digging in Landfill for Missing Baby

SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio Police Chief William McManus says officers have begun excavating a landfill for evidence in the disappearance of an 8-month-old boy.

McManus said Tuesday that authorities "remain hopeful that Baby Gabriel is alive."

First in the landfill search, over 20 searchers will dig down to where trash dumped around Dec. 26 would be. Phase 1 of the search involves removing over 45 feet of debris, which will take six days to complete.

Then when diggers find the right area of trash, they will begin sifting through it piece by piece.

"This phase will be a long and repetitive cycle, looking for anything of value. Debris will be examined by search teams and cadaver dogs," said Chief William McManus.

Gabriel Johnson was last seen with his 23-year-old mother, Elizabeth Johnson, in San Antonio on Dec. 26. The Arizona woman was arrested Dec. 30 in Florida and charged with kidnapping, child abuse and custodial interference.

Police turned to the landfill after the mother allegedly sent a text message to the father, saying their baby was dead. She later retracted the comment.

McManus told a news conference that police are excavating a section of the landfill believed to contain trash from a motel where Johnson was last seen with her baby.

McManus on Saturday announced the case was being treated as a homicide. Meanwhile, leads are being following in his disappearance and possible adoption.