SAN JUAN COUNTY, N.M. (WKRC) – A father allegedly murdered his baby while on a walk with his 4-year-old child, then “partially buried” the child and claimed a grandparent took him.
Sheriff Shane Ferrari with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office announced that police were contacted on February 8 by a person whose security cameras caught a man pushing a stroller in a remote area in a fashion that seemed suspicious to the caller. Officers responded to the area in question and did not find anything alarming, but did find the stroller seen in the video.
The next day, authorities were reportedly contacted by a woman who said her 11-month-old child was missing. The mother said that the child was last seen with his father, 43-year-old John Hannon, who took the baby and his 4-year-old son on a walk to Dollar General. Hannon allegedly left with both children but only returned with the 4-year-old, telling the mother that a grandparent retrieved the baby.
Officers were able to identify Hannon as the person who was seen pushing the stroller the day prior, and arrived at his home to question him, per the outlet. Hannon allegedly refused to leave his home, prompting officers to force their way into the residence, where they found him hiding.
“When asked about the whereabouts of the baby, Hannon gave conflicting statements as to the location of the child,” Sheriff Ferrari said.
Hannon was initially arrested on an unrelated warrant, but police soon found evidence connecting him to the crime, authorities said.
“At approximately 10 a.m. the search team found the partially buried body of the 11-month-old baby,” Ferrari said.
The manner of death was ruled as a homicide by the medical examiner, and Hannon was arrested on additional charges. He was charged with child abuse resulting in death and tampering with evidence.
“There is no greater evil than individuals who hurt and kill children,” Ferrari said. “You have my word we will do everything in our power to bring justice to this precious child.”