EL PASO COUNTY — It was not the outcome anyone wanted when the El Paso County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of Gannon Stauch's stepmom, Letecia Stauch, on March 2.
Stauch is accused of murdering her stepson and faces multiple charges:
-1st Degree Murder (victim under 12) by a person in position of trust (Class 1 Felony)
-Child abuse resulting in death (Class 2 Felony)
-Tampering with a deceased body (Class 3 Felony)
-Tampering with physical evidence (Class 6 Felony)
Over the last several weeks, the community has come together and participated in numerous searches to find Gannon.
According to sheriff's investigators, a body has not been discovered.
TIMELINE:
January 27: Gannon's stepmom, Letecia, reports Gannon missing. Letecia reportedly told investigators that Gannon was last seen that afternoon as he left to go to a friend's house. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office labeled Gannon as a "runaway" child.
January 29: News 5 Investigates receives a credible tip from law enforcement sources, alerting us that Gannon was not a runaway child and foul play is suspected. Our sources disclosed that Gannon's stepmom was considered a prime suspect. As part of our fact-checking process, Chief Investigative Reporter Eric Ross reached out to Jacqueline Kirby, the media relations manager for the El Paso County Sheriff's Office along with Sergeant Deborah Mynatt, a spokesperson for the office.
"We will not be confirming any information that you have in your email," Kirby said. "This is an active ongoing investigation in the search for an 11-year-old boy. Any information prematurely released that has not been confirmed by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office would greatly hinder this investigation and would be very irresponsible journalism."
January 30: The El Paso County Sheriff's Office decided to upgrade the investigation to a "missing and endangered child" case.
January 31: The El Paso County Sheriff's Office publicly asks for volunteers to register with their Incident Command team to coordinate search areas.
February 1: Children in Gannon's Lorson Ranch neighborhood come together to pray for Gannon's safe return.
February 2: Gannon's neighbor, Roderick Drayton releases surveillance video which reportedly shows Gannon's stepmom, Letecia, leaving with Gannon and then returning home without him. This video contradicts the initial statements Letecia reportedly made to investigators.
February 3: Investigators from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office and crime lab technicians were spotted searching for evidence at the Stauch family home.
February 5: Gannon's father and biological mother release an emotional video plea for information related to Gannon's disappearance. This video plea was shared by local news outlets and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.
February 28: Court records show investigators sought an arrest warrant for Letecia Stauch, Gannon's stepmom.
March 2: The El Paso County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of Letecia Stauch.
March 5: Letecia Stauch arrived to the El Paso County Jail and later that day appeared before a judge. Her attorney waived the advisement until a first appearance hearing.
March 11: Letecia Stauch was formally charged and has a status hearing scheduled for April 14.
During the March 2 news conference, news media was told that the arrest affidavit has been sealed to protect the criminal investigation.
Arrest affidavits often contain information regarding charges, evidence and witness statements. When this document is unsealed, KOAA News5 will pass that information along to you.
This is a developing story and will be updated as soon as new information becomes available.
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