Manhunt comes to an end; two arrested in connection to toddler's homicide

Police found Kaleb Kessinger in a room at the Travel Lodge on Oak Street in central Bakersfield.

Kessinger, 20, was taken into custody and taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries sustained from a car crash Wednesday night.

Kessinger was booked on felony charges including first degree murder, custodian assault of a child, reckless evading a peace officer and driving with a suspended or revoked license. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of obstructing or resisting a peace officer.

Kessinger is being held on more $1,010,000 bail.

The body of a toddler was found in the canyon Thursday afternoon. Family told 23ABC the body is that of 2-year-old Ramon Angel Reyes-Chavez.

The boy's mother, Ayled Chavez, 19, was arrested Thursday afternoon and charged with murder, felony child abuse, and conspiracy.

Police have not yet said if the body of a juvenile they found is the two-year-old missing boy.

Officers initiated an investigation into the disappearance of Reyes-Chavez, 2, around 8:40 p.m. Wednesday night, police said.

During the investigation, detectives developed information leading them to believe that Reyes-Chavez was the victim of a homicide. Detectives identified Kessinger as a suspect on Thursday. They attempted to contact him when they saw him driving his car in the 3400 block of Nighthawk Lane, but he took off about 10:45 p.m.

Officers said he later crashed his car near Calloway Drive and Olive Drive. He was last seen running from the area.

Officers were on scene in the Kern River Canyon, about three miles in near Democrat Boat Launch, regarding the investigation around 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Kessinger for charges which include homicide and felony child abuse.

Investigators are asking the public to contact the Bakersfield Police Department (661) 327-7111 with any information regarding this case.

Kessinger was pulled over in 2016 for speeding and was suspected of driving under the influence. He had 6.4 nanograms of marijuana in his system while driving, according to the District Attorney's Office. The case went to trial and was convicted in Dec. 2016, sentenced to four days in jail and granted three years of probation.

Kessinger is expected in court on May 1.

Chavez is currently being held without bail and is expected in court on April 30.