Five-year-old Helliono Martinez, reported missing nine days ago after being seen with his father at their home on U.S. Highway 160 in Cortez, was handed over by family members in an emotional meeting Thursday afternoon at the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office.
The boy’s grandparents, aunt and father, Charles Martinez, reported to the Sheriff’s Office at 12:30 p.m.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation issued an “endangered/missing alert” for Helliono Martinez, who was last seen July 16.
According to a release from CBI, Helliono is now in temporary custody of the Montezuma County Department of Social Services. The department is working on a plan for Helliono’s custody and the family’s visitation rights.
No one was arrested or faces charges for Helliono’s disappearance, and law enforcement is investigating whether the boy’s father was aware of his son’s custody status at the time the alert was issued.
“The Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office appreciates all of the assistance given by the public along with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation in helping locate this child safely,” the CBI release stated.
The boy’s grandparents, aunt and father were all present at the Sheriff’s Office to say goodbye to Helliono before the Social Services Department took custody of him. The family spent this time chatting with Helliono, playing with him and hugging him tight.
A social worker entered the room to meet Helliono Martinez and ask his aunt about his routine and health information. The social worker said that she and other officials were working on a plan for visitation for the family and Helliono’s placement.
The return of Helliono Martinez is but one development in an investigation that has covered three counties in Southwest Colorado.
Helliono’s mother, Chrystal Snow, was found shot to death at her home in Pagosa Springs on July 2. The boy was later located alive with his aunt after the incident. CBI has not named any person of interest for the murder, according to the release.
Helliono’s brother, 17-year-old Hevon Martinez, was arrested by the Cortez Police Department on July 7 after reports of suspicious activity and shots fired at a vehicle, according to a CrimeWatch alert from Cortez Police. He is being held at the Grand Mesa Youth Services Center in Grand Junction.
At a hearing in Archuleta County on July 10, a discussion between the 17-year-old’s legal council and Judge Justin Fay revealed that Martinez was being investigated in the case of his murdered mother.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
