SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (VVNG.com) — In a swift decision announced Monday afternoon, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office said they will file murder charges against the mother and aunt of Duke Flores.

The DA’s Office reviewed the case involving the Apple Valley twins and said, “As a result of the investigation, the District Attorney’s Office filed 1 count of PC 187(a); Murder, each against Jackee Contreras and Jennifer Contreras.”

According to the criminal complaint, a felony was committed by Jackee Raquel and Jennifer Contreras, who did unlawfully, and with malice aforethought murder Duke, a human being.

The victim, Duke Flores, is the six-year-old son and nephew of the defendants.

Duke Flores was reported missing on Thursday, April 25th, but the extended family said he was last seen alive around April 14th in the 22000 block Cherokee Avenue in Apple Valley.

According to the Sheriff’s Department, Duke’s mother, Jackee Contreras, 29, told deputies on Thursday that her son had not been seen for about two weeks.

The grandmother spoke with news reporters and said she believed Duke may have attempted to smother his aunt Jennifer’s 9-month-old child, and as a result, someone may have gone too far with the discipline.

Both women were arrested for murder and are being held without bail. They will be arraigned in department V-10 by the Honorable Judge Rogan, 8:30 a.m., in a Victorville courtroom on April 30th.

Sheriff’s Spokeswoman Jodi Miller told Victor Valley News two children were removed from the home by CFS on Friday night. “I don’t know if they are still in custody of CFS or not,” stated Miller.

On Monday, April 29, 2019, homicide detectives, 36 sheriff’s department volunteers, 3 canines, and 17 additional sheriff’s personnel arrived at the Victorville landfill to search for the body of Duke Flores.

At about 5:00 pm, sheriff’s officials said search efforts at the Victorville landfill have been suspended for the day. 

“The area being search is approximately 70 feet x 70 feet x 10 feet in depth, approximately 600 tons of material,” stated sheriff’s officials.

The search for Duke Flores will resume in the morning, Tuesday, April 30^th.

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