MONTGOMERY, Ala. — An Alabama father has been arrested in the death of his missing 5-week-old boy, just hours after he gave a press conference begging the public for help finding his son. Caleb Michael Whisnand Sr., 32, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter Wednesday in Montgomery after the remains of his son, Caleb “CJ” Whisnand Jr., were found, AL.com reported.
Authorities said Whisnand called 911 around 10:45 p.m. Monday from a Circle K convenience store outside Montgomery to report a missing child, but they have provided few other details about the child’s disappearance.
Whisnand Sr. and the baby’s mother, Angela Gardner, appeared at a press conference Wednesday in which they offered conflicting accounts, initially claiming that the last time they saw CJ was when he was in bed with them on Saturday night.
“I don’t remember a lot. But I did remember I was breaking up with the cops. If anybody’s got anything, any place I could have gone,” he said, AL.com reported.
Caleb “CJ” Whisnand Jr.’s father was arrested after his remains were found. (Images via New York Post)
But then Gardner said Whisnand told her that the baby vanished while with him Monday night at the gas station, New York Post reported.
“He went to go pay gas at the gas station and realized he was gone. He let the police know, and me know, that he was missing … Please find him, please,” she said.
Whisnand said he had no idea who would take the child and pleaded for his safe return.
“It would mean everything to us. The family ain’t the same without family, that’s for sure,’’ Whisnand said. “It’s been taking a toll on everybody.”
