By David Lohr
(Continued)
The children's mother, Jamie Hallam, 30, is not considered a suspect. According to court records, the couple has been divorced since 2003. Since that time, they have been to court several times regarding custody of their two children. Last year, Hallan told the court she was afraid that Payne would kidnap or harm their children. Child protective services investigated the allegations, but, according to Miranda, took no action because the children were in "good health."
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Jamie Marie Hallan |
On Thursday, police arrested Payne's girlfriend, Reina I. Gonzales, 22, on one count of child abuse in connection with Ariana's death. Police say that Gonzales, who had been living with Payne, had direct knowledge that Payne had been abusing Ariana, and that she failed to intervene on the girl's behalf. Gonzales has a 2 1/2-year-old boy with Payne. That child is now in the custody of Child Protective Services.
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Reina I. Gonzales |
Police are desperately seeking the whereabouts of Ariana's five-year-old brother, Tyler. Friends and relatives say they have not seen either child for several months. Last week, authorities searched a Los Reales landfill; however, they refuse to comment on why they conducted the search or what were looking for.
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Tyler and Ariana Payne |
Payne is locked up at the Pima County jail on $1,500,000 bond. Gonzales is being held at the Pima County jail on a $100,000 bond.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to Call (520) 88-CRIME or the TPD TipLine at (520) 791-4499 ext 1238.
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