Remains Found in Desert May Be of Missing Boy

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. — The skeletal remains of a child were discovered in a remote portion of the desert near here Tuesday, and investigators were trying to determine if they are the body of an 11-year-old boy missing since November.

The body, which was badly decomposed and above ground, was discovered about 100 miles east of Los Angeles by a man searching for cans to use as target practice, said Sgt. Tony Allen of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Investigators are trying to determine if the remains are those of Robert Martinich, 11, who ran away from home with another youth, Arthur Leftwich, 14, in Yucca Valley on Nov. 19.

The remains were found several miles from where Arthur’s body was discovered Dec. 16. He had been shot to death, and sheriff’s deputies called it a murder.

The two boys allegedly committed burglaries before disappearing, authorities aid.

Detective Jay Hagen said investigators had mixed feelings about whether the body is Robert’s. They did say that the victim apparently died as a result of a homicide.

“We may have found Martinich,” he said. “But if it is him, that means we have a kid killer on the loose around here.”

Detective Dan Glozer, who spent the afternoon at the scene searching for clues, said Tuesday night that the body is “so badly skeletonized, we can’t tell whether it’s a male or female.”

He said a forensic examination will be completed within days.