WOODLAND-
Yolo County Sheriff, Edward Prieto, faced reporters, sharing new details regarding the death of Baby Justice Rees in an emotional interview.
“I am a grandfather of eight,” he said. “You could be the toughest criminal. But infants are special. Special.”
Justice Rees, only 20-days-old, and his mother Samantha Green were reported missing on February 23. Green turned up Tuesday in the Ridge Cut Slough in Knights Landing. Baby Justice Rees was found there dead the next day. Green was arrested Saturday, on murder charges.
The Yolo County Sheriffs Department conducted criminal background checks on both the mother, Samantha Green and father, Frank Rees.
Frank Rees was arrested Sunday evening, on unrelated charges. He had three misdemeanor warrants: Driving on a suspended license and having no car title in Yolo County, and a DUI charge from Lake County.
Rees’ bail is set for $120,000. Green has no bail.
“I am extraordinarily sympathetic and passionate about this young little infant that was found deceased… More so for him that the parents in all honesty,” Sheriff Prieto said.
Frank Rees and his family are responsible for making funeral arrangements for Baby Justice. When asked why deputies could not wait to arrest the father until his son was buried, Sheriff Prieto said he must abide by the law.
“You know, I have so much information on this man it is hard for me to be extraordinarily sympathetic.” the Sheriff said. “But he has had warrants for sometime so he could have taken care of this anytime if he had chance to. And obviously he chose not to. But when you get a court order, it is a court order. That’s when a judge tells you to take this person into custody.”
Both Green and Frank Rees are scheduled to be arraigned on March 4, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Yolo County Jail.
