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Father Of Missing 5-Year-Old Boy Arrested For His Murder

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com)  —  Authorities have announced the arrest of the father of a 5-year-old boy who went missing in April.

Aramazd Andressian Sr. 35, was taken into custody in Las Vegas around 1 p.m., the LA County Sheriff's Department announced. He is accused of murdering the boy.

Andressian Jr. went missing in April on the day he was supposed to be taken to his mother's residence. The boy's mother and father were involved in a custody battle.

The boy's father told officials he didn't know where the boy was.  The father was found near his car, passed out. He maintained someone attacked him and took the boy.

Later, police said the father's story was filled with inconsistencies. They also revealed the car Andressian was found near was "soaked" with gasoline. Andressian was taken into custody but eventually released when police said they had a lack of evidence.

The suspect was booked at Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department with a bail of $10 million dollars and will return to Los Angeles County pending the extradition process, officials said.

After reviewing all of the evidence in this case, following several searches of the suspect's home, his mother's home in Montebello and assorted locations, The boy's maternal grandmother lives in Montebello and Andressian Sr. moved there and the boy was also seen there frequently.

Related Video: Montebello Neighbors Of Missing Boy's Grandmother Can't Believe He's Dead

Homicide Investigators presented the facts to the Los Angeles County D.A.'s Office and obtained a murder filling against the suspect.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will discuss the arrest at a press conference on Monday, at 11 a.m., at the Hall of Justice.

Friday evening, KCAL 9's Tom Wait reached out to the missing boy's family for comment.

Aramazd's maternal grandmother texted him that she was shocked to learn of the arrest and the charges.  She's hoping her little Piqui, her nickname for Aramazd, is still alive.

"…As of right now we believe and are praying that Piqui is still alive and just hidden somewhere. We are not giving up hope until we learn otherwise. We are asking that everyone continue to pray extra hard that he will be returned to his momma alive."

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