Police seek child of couple found dead near Kalispell

Northwest law enforcement officials are seeking the public’s help in trying to locate a 2-year-old boy who is the son of a couple found dead Wednesday in an apparent murder-suicide in Flathead County.

Police in Medford, Oregon, are hoping someone has seen Aiden Castiel Salcido. He is the son of Daniel Salcido and Hannah Janiak, both of Medford. The couple was driving a green 1996 GMC Jimmy in Kalispell when a Kalispell City Police officer attempted to make a traffic stop Wednesday evening after witnessing a moving violation. The officer called for backup and the vehicle fled. Officers from the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office also responded and used spike strips to flatten the front tires.

The vehicle eventually pulled to the side of U.S. 93 near Bowdish Road. When officers received no response, they found Daniel Salcido and Hannah Janiak dead inside.

According to oregonlive.com, Medford police believe Janiak was shot in the head and Salcido died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Their child, Aiden, was not in the vehicle, and police said there was no evidence he had been.

The SUV had been purchased in late June or early July in Central Point, Oregon, police said.

According to Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino, the unmarried couple was reported missing June 11 after Janiak failed to appear to begin serving a jail sentence for a burglary conviction in Jackson County. Felony warrants for Salcido had been issued July 15 stemming from the same burglary, police said.

Janiak’s last financial activity happened June 3 and 4 when two purchases, including camping equipment, were made at a Medford Wal-Mart, police said. Investigators reviewed surveillance video that showed the couple together with Aiden. June 4 was the last time the trio was seen.

Medford police say family told them the three were homeless and camped in Medford.

Medford police said in a news release that they are “greatly concerned for Aiden’s welfare” and are searching for him with the help of the FBI. Detectives are looking for any information on his family’s whereabouts since they were reported missing July 11.

Anyone with information is asked to call 541-774-2258 and reference case 19-10842.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.