Man accused of killing San Jacinto girlfriend, kidnapping son arrested – Child safely recovered

UPDATE: Wednesday, July 7, 8:30 a.m., With additional details regarding suspect’s apprehension.

LAKELAND VILLAGE, Calif. — Authorities say the search for a Lakeland Village man accused of killing his San Jacinto girlfriend and kidnapping the couple’s child before fleeing the state on Monday ended when the alleged murderer was located and apprehended in Las Vegas, Nevada last night, Tuesday, July 6.

The 2-year-old boy the man was accused of kidnapping was found safe and unharmed, and as of last night law enforcement officials were in the process of reuniting the young child with his concerned and grateful family.

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On Monday, July 5, deputies from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to a home in the 17000 block of Hayes Avenue, in the unincorporated community of Lakeland Village in southwest Lake Elsinore, to investigate a report of a deceased female located inside the residence, Riverside Sheriff’s Correctional Sergeant Deanna Pecoraro later reported.

When deputies arrived they confirmed finding a deceased woman, since identified as Natasha Denise Barlow, a 43-year-old resident of San Jacinto.

Deputies secured the home as a crime scene and the Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit was notified and assumed the investigation.

Investigators identified the suspect as 42-year-old, Celestine John Stoot Jr., a resident of Lake Elsinore, and learned the man was the victim’s boyfriend.

“After the homicide occurred, investigators believe the suspect fled the area with his two-year-old son, Celestine Stoot III,” explained Pecoraro; describing the suspect’s vehicle as a charcoal grey 2020 Kia Optima with a temporary paper plate of U335133 or CA license plate 8VQU461.

An Amber Alert was quickly activated by California Highway Patrol as the search for Stoot was beginning.

“Suspect Stoot and his two-year-old son have not been located and their whereabouts are unknown,” Pecoraro explained at the time; saying Stoot was considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.

The following evening, at around 5:45 p.m., Stoot and his son were located in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Stoot was taken into custody without incident. Celestine Stoot III, the suspect’s 2-year-old son was found unharmed and in good health.

“Suspect Stoot will be booked into the Clark County jail pending his extradition to Riverside County,” said Pecoraro; adding, that the Sheriff’s investigation is active and ongoing and that no further updates were immediately available.

Anyone with information regarding this case or who knows Stoots’ whereabouts is encouraged to contact Investigator Magana of the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777. Callers can refer to incident file number F211860020 and can remain anonymous. You can also submit a tip at WeTip-Lake Elsinore.



Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 50, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).

Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.