Landfill searched for missing Southern California boy

Sheriff's detectives, volunteers and search dogs combed a Mojave Desert landfill today for remains of a 6-year-old Southern California boy as his mother and aunt were arraigned on murder charges.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department says the search for the body of Duke Flores focused on an area of a Victorville landfill described as containing 600 tons of material. At the local courthouse, the boy's mother, Jackee Contreras, and her sister Jennifer Contreras pleaded not guilty during a Superior Court arraignment. The Apple Valley women have been in custody since last week.

Authorities haven’t revealed what happened to the boy, but said his body was placed in a dumpster.

The investigation began Thursday night when a relative requested deputies make a welfare check on Duke.

A department statement said "Upon arrival, deputies were told by the suspect, Jackee Contreras, that Duke hadn’t been seen for approximately two weeks.”

Deputies immediately searched the area and booked the mother into jail for investigation of child neglect for the delay in reporting the boy missing..

Homicide investigators began investigating on Friday, gathered evidence and interviewed family members and Jackee Contreras, then booked her for investigation of murder. The next day, her sister was arrested as well.