Stepmother of Missing Kansas Boy Arrested for Child Endangerment

On Saturday, 5-year-old Lucas Hernandez vanished from his home in Wichita, Kansas. Four days later, police announced that his stepmother has been arrested on child endangerment. According to CBS News, Emily Glass, 26, was booked into jail on Wednesday.

Additionally, police have expressed that there is no evidence that the child was abducted. Deputy Chief Gavin Seiler said the case is being considered a criminal investigation and said that Glass is also accused of endangering another child, a one-year-old.

"The charges are related to new information gathered during this investigation," Seiler said during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. "Officers and investigators have been working on this case non-stop."

The boy’s father is holding onto hope that his son is still alive.

"Lucas is the sweetest, softest-hearted, kindest little kid I ever met," he told ABC News  7. "I'm so proud to be able to be his father. I miss him very much. I love him very much and I just want him to come home."

Several relatives are not shocked by Glass’s arrest.

Hernandez’s great aunt, Sally Rasmussen gave KAKE  photographs from 2017 that appear to show bruises all over his body. She said the photos were part of a report she filed with the Kansas Department for Children and Families to try to help the 5-year-old.

The child's great-grandmother Jeannie Houchin told the Wichita Eagle that Glass once kicked him Hernandez and dragged him across the room.

It’s unclear if Glass has a lawyer who can speak on her behalf at this time.

"We hope we are going to be able to find Lucas and that he is alive and well," Seiler said at the press conference.

Anyone with information is urged to call 316-383-4661.

[Photo: Wichita Police Department]