4‑Year‑Old Missing for a Year Found Buried in Tote Bag in Father’s Yard, Father Arrested, Police Say…
A heartbreaking discovery in Aberdeen, Washington, has ended more than a year of unanswered questions about a 4‑year‑old boy who disappeared in 2025 when police found his body buried in a tote bag in his father’s yard, authorities said.
Police identified the boy as Aiden Bevins and arrested his father, 36‑year‑old Jacob Scott Bevins, on suspicion of murder and other felony charges after investigators uncovered the child’s remains on May 15.
Investigation Began With a Different Missing Child Call
The case started unfolding on May 12 when officers responded to a missing‑person report concerning the father’s 6‑year‑old daughter. The girl was later found safe with her mother, but Aiden’s absence immediately raised questions among detectives. Court documents show that police discovered relatives had not seen the 4‑year‑old for an extended period, and that Bevins repeatedly gave authorities conflicting stories about his whereabouts.
When police contacted relatives, the father claimed he had the child, but they denied ever seeing Aiden, prompting investigators to return to the family’s property. That search led to the grim finding: Aiden’s body wrapped in a tote bag and buried on the property owned jointly by his father and grandmother.
Father Faces Multiple Charges, Police Say
Bevins was taken into custody and is being held on multiple serious charges, including second‑degree murder, first‑degree manslaughter, unlawful disposal of human remains, and making false statements to a public servant, according to local authorities. He remains in jail without bail as prosecutors prepare formal filings.
Police have not publicly stated the official cause of death, but detectives described in court filings that the father’s initial statements contradicted medical evidence. Bevins first told investigators Aiden died from an accidental fall, then later admitted to striking his son, according to reports.
Foster Family Had Raised Concerns Before Tragedy
Aiden and his sister had previously been in foster care, and the family that once cared for them says they repeatedly contacted child protective services about concerns for both children’s safety before the boy was returned to his biological parents. A former foster parent told KING‑5 News that Aiden sometimes came back from stays with his biological family looking unkempt and thin.
“That’s a fear we had,” one foster family member said of the boy before the discovery, adding that they felt authorities did not fully act on their pleas for more oversight. (Law & Crime)
Community Shocked by Discovery
The gruesome finding has sent shockwaves through the tight‑knit community of Grays Harbor County. Neighbors described the area as quiet, saying they were stunned to learn what had happened just beneath the surface of an otherwise ordinary home.
Local leaders and child advocacy groups have also expressed sorrow and called for a review of protocols in handling prior welfare concerns about children under protective supervision.
Police Continue Investigation
Authorities say the investigation remains active as they work to fully understand the timeline and circumstances that led to Aiden’s disappearance, burial, and the father’s actions. Detectives have urged anyone with additional information to come forward.
The boy’s tragic death and the reported failure of systems meant to protect vulnerable children have sparked sadness and frustration in the community, leaving many wondering how a young child could be missing for more than a year before his remains were found in the backyard of his own home.
