Human Remains Found in a Mobile Home Identified as Toddler James Chairez, Who Has Been Missing Since January

Police confirmed that the human remains found in a mobile home have been identified as toddler James Chairez, missing since January 2021.

Human remains found in a mobile trailer home have been identified as the toddler, James Chairez, who was last seen with his mother, D'Lanny Chairez, in a supermarket parking lot, on January 4, 2021.

James and his mother both went missing in January. His mother was later found in February, unharmed, and was charged with endangering or abandoning a child.

Chairez told officers that she wanted to put her son up for adoption because she suffered from mental health problems and was not ready to be a mother. Chairez did not explain if he was in the care of someone else.

James' great aunt, Mariesol Gomez, told a prayer group on Friday, May 14, that if she had tried harder to be there for James, then maybe they would not be in this situation as she said:

"If I would’ve tried a little bit harder, maybe we wouldn’t all be here today. I’m still trying to find answers for him."

During an initial search of Chairez's home in March, San Antonio police discovered a bloodstained sheet in his crib. According to Chairez's arrest affidavit, they also found diapers, a stroller, a car seat, and James' toys.

Family members and the nonprofit Search and Rescue San Antonio planned to search Chairez's mobile home after Gomez found her niece's cellphone. On the device, Gomez found the last video of James, taken on January 11.

Her previous two charges were changed to two counts of tampering with evidence.

The groups' search was put on hold for a few days while police conducted a second search. Later on April 28, the police found human remains underneath a mobile home at 7600 W Military drive.

Investigators told Gomez that the DNA sample provided by the child's mother was a match, so the remains were identified as Baby James. The San Antonio Police Department confirmed the news in a short statement:

"We received confirmation from the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office that the human remains... have been positively identified as Baby James Avi Chairez."

Gomez and the rest of the family have not seen the almost two-year-old since Thanksgiving last year where he tried gravy for the first time. Gomez's shared their devastation on Friday when talking during the prayer service.

Gomez shared that James has been a good and happy baby. She explained that she stopped taking in information after the detective told her they had a positive ID for the remains.

Chairez is currently being held in Bexar County Jail. Her previous two charges were changed to two counts of tampering with evidence. Her trial date has been set for July 16.

Gomez shared that the autopsy will not be completed until July 1. Police have released no further information as the investigation is still ongoing. No charges in connection to the remains have been filed.