Colton religious leaders arrested in deaths of boy, missing man – NBC Los Angeles

The leaders of a religious group in San Bernardino County were charged with murder in two separate cases, including the one involving a young boy who died more than a decade ago, authorities announced Monday.

Darryl and Shelley Martin, who led Hemet-based “His Way Spirit Led Assemblies,” were arrested in connection with the murder of 4-year-old Timothy Thomas and for their alleged involvement in the murder of Emilio Ghanem who went missing in the Redlands.  

The father of the 4-year-old boy, Andre Thomas, was also arrested for murder, as detectives said Timothy’s parents relinquished temporary custody to the Martins just one month before the boy’s death in 2010., 

“Shelley and Darryl took an active role in preventing Timo from getting medical treatment, and his father Andrew Thomas was complicit,” Colton Police Chief Anthony Vega said. “Timo’s death could have been prevented had he been allowed to get attention for his appendicitis.” 

Authorities also alleged the couple is linked to the disappearance of Emilio Ghanem, who was last seen at a Starbucks in Redland in May 2023. 

“Video captured the rented Frontier he was driving in Grand Terrace, and the truck was located abandoned in the Mojave Desert, burned and contained evidence with homicide,” Redlands Police Chief Rachel Robler said. 

Investigators said Ghanem went missing shortly after he left the faith group that same year, adding that his missing person’s case is now a homicide investigation.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office said people close to the cases recently came forward, helping with the couple’s arrests. 

“The cooperative investigation of many who knew things then are coming to us now,” San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said.

Police also said a fourth person was arrested after police found weapons in connection to the investigation when the search warrant was served.