Authorities searching Lake Cachuma for missing 5-year-old

UPDATE

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department posted the following update on their Facebook page:

“The search for the missing child, 5-year-old Aramazd Andressian, Jr, at El Dorado Point’s Lake Cachuma, has concluded for the day. Investigators thank the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office and Santa Barbara Park Rangers for their assistance during the search for witnesses and evidence. Investigators will continue to collaborate with these agencies as new leads develop.”

“Regarding the arrest of suspect Aramazd Andressian Sr., South Pasadena Police Department and Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department have made the decision not to present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration at this time. Suspect Andressian has been released from custody.”

“The matter remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time.”

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The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is assisting Los Angeles County Sheriff’s investigators with a missing child case out of Pasadena, California.

Investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau have headed to Lake Cachuma to search for missing 5-year-old Aramazd Andressian Jr.

The child is described as a 5 years-old boy, 55 lbs, with short brown hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a gray and white striped shirt, or teal shirt, gray sweatpants, plaid shorts and tan shoes.

The boy’s mother reported the child missing and last saw him on Saturday, April 15 at 8 a.m. during a custody exchange with his father, Aramazd Andressian Sr., at the Baldwin Park Police Department.

During the investigation, detectives discovered the 5-year-old and his father had spent Friday, April 21, at Lake Cachuma.

Investigators are looking for any witnesses at the lake that may have seen the boy and his father. L.A. County Sheriff’s officials are meeting near the ranger station in the area.

They are using scent K-9’s and a dive team in hopes of locating any evidence leading detectives to the child’s whereabouts. Strong winds in the area, however, are making search operations increasingly difficult for search and rescue teams.

Investigators said there are witnesses who said they recall seeing Andressian Sr. at the lake but no child with him.

The boy’s father was arrested after being found passed out in a park in South Pasadena on April 22. He was released from jail on April 25 due to lack of evidence to hold him.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.

We will update this story when new information becomes available so be sure to check back.