"Little Jacob" finally identified; his mother and her girlfriend arrested

Jayden Alexander Lopez aka "Little Jacob" was found dead on a beach in Galveston, Texas, on Oct. 20, 2017. Photo credit: FBI Houston via Twitter

Little Jayden's mother, Rebecca Rivera, 34, is charged with tampering or fabricating physical evidence. Photo credit: Galveston City website

Dania Sarai Amezquita Gomez, 31, charged with tampering or fabricating physical evidence. Photo credit: Galveston City website

By: Claudia Rivero
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​​Eight months after his tiny, naked body washed ashore on a Galveston beach, investigators now know "Little Jacob's" real name, where he came from, and who dumped him in the water.

Wednesday morning Galveston Police identified "Little Jacob" — the nickname they gave him when he was found last fall — as 4-year-old Jayden Alexander Lopez from Houston.

They also announced the arrest of Jayden's mother, Rebecca Rivera, 34, and her girlfriend, Dania Sarai Amezquita Gomez, 31, both are charged with tampering or fabricating physical evidence. 

When I interviewed lead Detective Jeff Banks in May he made it clear that they were close to solving the case. He told me that releasing a crime scene photo of the child in January was a controversial decision but one that made all the difference in how the investigation played out.

Galveston Police say that tips from the public and DNA evidence led them to the child's mother. They're also convinced that both women went to Galveston to get rid of Jayden's body.

But, since it's still not known how Jayden died, Rivera and Gomez have not been charged with his death. However, additional charges are possible since the investigation is ongoing.

Below is the full news conference posted by Galveston City to its Youtube channel. 

Rest in peace, sweet Jayden. You mattered, little guy. You absolutely mattered.