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Sheriff: Kidnapped Boy, 4, Found Dead In Central Calif. Canal

PATTERSON, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say the body of a child found in a Central California canal belongs to the 4-year-old boy who was kidnapped from his home earlier this month.

Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson said Tuesday officials have confirmed the body is that of Juliani Cardenas.

Investigators say Juliani was snatched from his home in Patterson on Jan. 18 by his mother's ex-boyfriend, Jose Rodriguez.

Rodriguez's Toyota Corolla was pulled from the bottom of the Delta-Mendota Canal on Friday, with no signs of the boy or suspect inside.

Juliani's body was spotted by a water department worker Tuesday morning about 30 miles downstream from the car.

Christianson say a homicide warrant has been issued against Rodriguez, but investigators believe the man's body also will be found in the canal.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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