Dad Realizes Children Hid A Dead Body In His Backyard

Hi. >> How are you? >> Good. How are you? Kiddos home? >> Yeah, they're at the They're sleeping. >> Police are speaking [music] with Manuel. Guillen Sr. Living inside his trailer. are his son Manny and his girlfriend. Briana. They've been hiding a horrifying. secret from their families that this. detective is about to uncover. >> Hey Manny. Hey Briana. >> I got a phone call.

>> Yeah. >> You guys know why I'm out here trying to. talk to you guys. So. >> A year ago, the couple killed their. daughter, buried her body in the [music]. woods near their trailer, and continued. living as if nothing happened. Over. time, Briana's family began to grow. suspicious, tipping off police that. something is seriously wrong. By the. time investigators catch on to the lies, both killers would walk free, leaving. their families and detectives to. confront one of the darkest and most.

tragic discoveries of their lives. >> They killed her. I know he did. >> And I know you've been [music] lying to. us. Tell us what happened. >> Right there? >> Yeah, she's buried there. >> This is the home of Aurelia and Manuel. Sr., the parents of Manny Guillen. Police believe Manny is connected to a.

missing child investigation. Two days. ago, Eddy County deputies received a. troubling call from relatives of Manny's. girlfriend, 24-year-old Briana. Stallings, reporting something. concerning about her daughter. >> We were concerned about my cousin. Her name is Briana Stallings. And we. never seen her with her baby anymore. She blocked us all on social media and. everything. She's with a guy named Manny. Manny Guillen. >> Briana's cousin would go on to explain. that the family hasn't seen Briana's.

daughter in nearly a year and that one. of the last places the child was seen. alive is right here at the residence of. Manny's parents. These officers are here. simply to conduct a welfare check. Unknowingly, they are moments away from. stepping into one of the most disturbing. murder investigations of their careers. >> It's not a problem. I think my guess is. Those police [music] officers are. Mexican or Hispanic.

>> Hi. >> Hello. >> Sergeant Miranda, Sheriff's Office. >> Hi, how are you, sir? >> I'm very good. Manuel Giene. >> Nice to meet you, Manuel. >> Hi. >> Officer, how are you? >> Yeah, how are you? >> Is. anyone else here? >> No. >> Just you two? >> Yes. Can we go talk over here? Would that. Would that be okay? I'm just going to. talk with them real quick. Um. do you know if. baby. >> No, what I heard on ready Yes, I know. what happened on ready. When I When I. know that. she was with my son because one day.

they appear over there. They had a. problem she don't care nobody they. uh take care of her. But she's pregnant. She's pregnant. >> Did you know if baby had been born? Did. you ever see the baby? >> You know when when they when they born. when they born uh they were were. together. They were together and. like I told you cuz. >> According to Manny's father, Briana. appeared estranged from her own family. She didn't seem to have anyone looking. out for her and slowly began leaning on. Manny and his parents as she went.

through her pregnancy. On the surface, Manny's father seems unaware that. anything might be wrong with Briana's. daughter, but officers are about to. learn he may know far more about the. missing child than he realizes. >> So when when she had the baby, where. were they living? >> Well, there they had a baby they went. with me maybe you know, maybe maybe a. week two weeks over there. And they went. somewhere over there. >> So, right after they had the baby, they. lived with you for a little bit? >> little bit. And then they leave again.

Maybe two weeks, three weeks or. something, yeah. And then they disappear. because they went to another where they. were staying, I don't know. I respect her and I never put a bad hand. on her because you don't want your. daughter to hurt you. >> Yeah. >> But I never put a bad I treat her with. with my heart. >> Through the language barrier, officers. are able to piece together more of the. story. Manny's goes on to explain that. his son served in the Marines and that. he believed Manny cared deeply for. Briana's daughter and took good care of. her. He also says that he tried to help.

the couple, allowing them to stay with. him, offering support and showing. sympathy for Briana's situation after. she became estranged from her own. family. However, he also admits the. couple were unstable. They would [music]. stay for a while, then disappear again. At the time, Manny's father believed he. was doing the right thing, [music]. helping a struggling couple get back on. their feet, but he has no idea that this. will become the biggest regret of his. life.

Before leaving the place, officers also. speak briefly with Manny's mother, who'd. have some concerning statements about. the couple. >> So, Manuel and Briana never lived there. when you were there? >> Even even yeah. Even even yeah. >> They're coming and going. >> Coming and going with the baby? >> No, the baby no no she didn't. >> wasn't at the house there when the baby. was born. >> Okay. >> She visited and then left. >> Okay. >> Manny's mother would speak to officers. in Spanish. She tells them that every. time she asked Briana and Manny about.

their daughter, the couple told her the. child was with a family member, but she. leaves out several concerning details. about what was really going on in. Manny's life. Details officers will soon. uncover on their own. For now, police leave the residence with. more questions than answers. They still. don't know where Breanna and Manny are, and they still have no idea where their. daughter might be. But just as they. prepare to leave, Manny's brother pulls. up to the house. Detectives quickly. approach to speak with him, where. they'll get their first real lead on.

where Breanna's daughter might be. >> Your mom's a cool lady. >> I kind of completely forgot about about. Susan and Ashley. >> I'm Detective Johnson. Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you, sir. >> Nice to meet you. Hey, so we're just We. just talked to your mom. >> Nobody's in trouble. >> Yeah, no, we're just But see, I have no. idea why the family. >> contacted you guys. I I called I I told. her to call me if she had any questions, that I would give her any information. that I had, and I did that. >> Called who? >> Um. >> Was it Breanna or her family member or. >> Her aunt, though. >> Okay. >> I got the messages right here. >> And have you talked to Breanna or Manuel. at all or.

>> I I talked to Breanna maybe. >> How long. >> a couple of weeks ago. >> Okay. >> Um I. >> Have you seen her Would she have her. baby with her or. >> I have not seen the baby since. >> It's been a couple of months now. >> Or like three, maybe more. >> I was one or two, I was like, where I. have I haven't seen her in a in a in a. while. Is she okay? >> She had told me that one of her aunts. was taking care of her. >> Yeah, no, I got you. >> Although Manny's brother reassures. officers that the couple's child is with. one of Breanna's aunts, he admits he. hasn't seen her daughter in months and.

doesn't sound fully convinced by. Breanna's story. Following this, detectives begin. contacting Breanna's family. One by one, every one of her aunts tell the same. thing. They do not have her daughter. One of Breanna's aunts, Ruby, insists. detectives come speak with her in person. because she's seen and heard troubling. details about Breanna and Manny's. relationship they need to look into. When detectives arrive to speak with. Ruby, they'll quickly realize there's. more to the story than a missing child.

>> Hello. Are you Are you Ruby? >> Yes, sir. >> Hi, Ruby. I'm Detective Johnson. We. spoke on the phone. >> Yes. >> I think you said you had something. >> Uh yes, come on in. Come on in, Ruby. >> Is that all right if I come in? >> Yes, come on in. >> Oh, thank you. >> I know something's going on because when. Briana was pregnant, she was here with. me and she left. She I raised Briana. since age six. And I spoke to her brother earlier. I. called him on my lunch break. >> [music]. >> Is it Brian? >> Brian. >> Brian, okay.

>> And I asked him, "Hey, what's going on?". I said, "Have you met your niece? Have. you seen her?". >> He says, "No, Ruby, I haven't seen. >> Cuz when she had her baby that day, she. called me. >> Yeah, and then you went to the hospital. and. >> Yeah, I went right away and he kind of. got mad, the guy she's with. >> Manny? >> Yeah, cuz I was taking pictures. >> She was already with Manny. >> Yes. And he kind of got mad and he whispered. in her ear and he walked out of the. room. And I'm like. And I said, "He's mad, huh?" I told. Briana he got mad.

She goes, "Yeah, Ruby, I don't pay. attention to him.". >> What the detective is hearing now isn't. just concerning, it's deeply unsettling. It's the first time the relationship. between Briana and Manny begins to sound. volatile and potentially dangerous. Ruby. doesn't know it yet, but her intuition. is spot-on and in just a matter of days, she will be told the most horrific truth. imaginable about her grandniece. For now, the detective leaves Ruby's. home and heads back to the station.

knowing they need to move quickly and. locate Briana and Manny. What Ruby. shared was troubling, but it's only the. beginning and far worse revelations are. still to come. Two days passed with no sign of the. couple or their child. Then, a call. comes in from a woman named Desiree who. identifies herself as Briana's former. roommate. She's heard about the missing. child and has important information. about Briana's boyfriend Manny, details.

his own family never shared with police. >> The only reason that everything kind of. worries me is that. she fell off and like she just didn't. talk to nobody and then this kind of. like happened, you know. >> Do you know why she's kind of um. disassociated herself from other people? >> Her Manny were fighting so bad. He said. he didn't want the baby. He has a son. and I'm pretty sure that he had got that. baby taken away because he beat out. of her baby. And so he doesn't have that. kid no more. The mom has the kids. Briana, she lived with my mom for 2. years. She lived with me for a year and.

a half. I've always been like trying to. help her out and stuff. Well, when she. was pregnant, you know, he had said that. he didn't want to be with her. He didn't. want the baby. He doesn't want a kid. That's why he got rid of his other kid. So it kind of worries me on that part, you know. >> Needless to say, Desiree's call paints a. disturbing picture of the couple. If. Manny already lost custody of his own. child due to abuse, then there's every. possibility that Briana's baby daughter. may have suffered the same fate. Together, the pair comes across as.

volatile, irresponsible, and deeply. unfit. A dynamic that only adds more. urgency for the detectives to locate. them and find the missing child. The. next day, as detectives begin mapping. out their next steps, they finally. receive a tip on the couple's. whereabouts. Briana and Manny are. staying at a trailer belonging to. Manny's father. Officers immediately. [music] drive to the address hoping to. finally speak with the couple directly. and get their side of the story.

>> Police department. >> Several minutes pass with no answer. Then the officer knocks again. When. Briana and Manny finally step out of the. trailer, it's clear they already know. why the police are here and they have a. story prepared. >> Hey, so uh I'm Detective Johnson, by the. way. Sorry. Do you guys know why I'm out. here trying to talk to you guys? >> Uh it's because I heard um. I guess my family. and talking to his family.

>> Do you know about what? >> Um I guess about Briana and Manny and. the baby. >> The officer said that they were. reporting her missing cuz they were out. of her phone or not. That's why I'm involved as a detective, you know what I mean? Just cuz stuff. like that gets passed on to us. So, where is your baby at right now? >> She's with her friend. >> Where is that? >> Waddell. >> In Waddell? Who is your friend in Waddell? >> Her name's Maria. >> Maria? If you don't mind, I'm just going. to talk to you guys individually real. quick and then I'll I'll I'm going to.

talk to both of you quick. So, can you. just hang out with him for a minute? >> Sure. >> And can I talk to you over here? >> Yeah. >> So, obviously I don't I don't know your your. personal life. I don't know anything. I'm just trying to get it all figured. out and. >> No, it's just that I'm just mad cuz. >> You're upset. >> Yeah, cuz I [clears throat] don't talk. to them at all. >> What what's wrong? >> They're annoying and they're all in my. life and then. that's one of the reason why I I used to. live with my aunt. She would probably yell at me and. >> Like what?

>> Like she would always yell at me and say. I'm stupid and I don't know what I'm. doing and. it's just stuff. So, I don't like her knowing anything about. me. She thinks very low of me and then like. to hear me yell at her and then like all. my business and whatnot. That's one of the reason why I blocked. her. >> Is your friend I mean. Did you take your baby down there or did. you. >> Yeah, I told her she can take her baby. >> So, how did you guys end up I said when. did that happen? >> That happened. >> When did you. >> Like.

>> And remember to do what? >> Two months ago. Two months ago. >> Briana's explanation sounds reasonable. Her family constantly interferes in her. life and she doesn't want to deal with. them. She even speaks negatively about. her aunt Ruby claiming she was never. supportive of her. Nothing about. Briana's story immediately raises. alarms. So, to verify the details, the. officer moves on to speak with Manny. separately to cross-check what Briana. has already said. This is when a small. discrepancy surfaces, one that will mark. the beginning of the couple's story.

falling apart. >> Hey man, so. can you just give me the rundown of. everything going on? >> All righty, so as far as I know, like. her family's been trying to get a hold. of her cuz I guess they. haven't been in touch with one another. how she's doing and the baby's doing. And she spoke to a couple family. members. I think it was her aunt or. brother or something like that cuz. they messaged her. And she told them to say like, "Yeah, I'm like we're doing okay. Like. you guys don't got to worry about. nothing.".

And then they were like, "Okay, well. just wanted to make sure everyone was. okay.". And then after that, then they started. like okay, my mom told me she was like, "Oh hey, there's detectives here at my. house like trying to figure out like if. you guys are missing or something. You. guys haven't like talked to the family. or like be like, what the Like. she's talked to her aunt or someone. She's talked to a couple family members. and let them know like everything was. okay. And like they're still doing this. So yeah, I don't know. >> So the baby's in what is? >> Mhm. >> When did that happen? Roughly the day or. the month?

>> Like like. >> what it's called? >> Beginning of the year? Like in. >> remember the car from the 300 block of. Montclair? >> February? Did they give you an address or like how. are you guys supposed to get in contact. or what's the plan? Is she going to go. back for her baby at some point? >> Uh so as far as I knew is like once we. got good and we were going to be I. guess she was going to be hitting us up. back then. But that's all that's all all. I got so. >> Not only does Manny give a completely. different time frame for when Briana's. daughter was given away, but he also.

can't provide any basic details for the. supposed friend the child [music] was. given to. When the officer circles back. to Briana with the same question, she. can't answer it either and offers no way. to verify that this friend even exists. At this point, the officer's suspicion. grows and with the and. piling up, he makes the call to detain. the couple and bring them to the station. for further questioning. Once at the station, Breanna and Manny. are placed into separate interview.

rooms. They still don't know their. stories don't match and investigators. intend to keep it that way. This is the. police's only chance to finally figure. out what really happened to Breanna's. daughter and who's responsible. As for. the couple, one wrong answer could. expose the horrifying secret they've. been hiding for months. >> And so, how did you get in contact with. Maria? >> Um through WhatsApp. >> Through WhatsApp? >> Yeah. >> When when did this happen, Breanna? >> I said 2 months. I told you that.

>> 2 months ago? Okay. Do you remember the day? >> I can't remember. >> Do you have any messages on WhatsApp. from Maria? >> This is a new phone. The other one I. don't. I I can't. remember either. It was like all kinds, you know, WhatsApp with 011 [music] something. Yeah, I don't. >> How did you get in contact with her to. check on her? >> She told me she was going to get a. Facebook account. Like make one and talk to me through. I personally don't know. That's what she told me. >> You haven't talked to Maria. >> Ever since then.

>> You haven't talked to her since [music]. last summer? How do we just make sure Coloni's okay, Manuel? Because Breanna doesn't seem to. know how how we can just ensure that. Coloni. is safe. If you think about it, that's. kind of. disturbing a little bit that the mother. maybe not a little bit more concerned. about, you know, just helping us ensure. that the child is safe. >> Far as I know, I know sometimes she has. problems with her phone and she like. kind of has a hard time paying. So, maybe it's like she hasn't paid her. phone bill. >> The only thing I can say is probably.

just wait for her until she gets her. phone fixed and probably contact her. back on WhatsApp. >> As expected, Breanna and Manny stick to. their conflicting story, but more. importantly is that neither of them show. any concern for their daughter's. well-being despite not seeing or hearing. anything from the supposed friend for. weeks. What the couple doesn't know yet. is that detectives have already followed. up on the supposed friend Briana. mentioned [music]. and discovered that no such person. exists. By now, it's painfully obvious.

to investigators that both Briana and. Manny are lying. So detectives decide. it's time to lay out what they believe. really happened to Briana's big daughter. [music] and confront her directly. >> Briana, we need you to speak truthfully. with us about this. A lot of the stuff. you said is just not making any sense. I. mean, it's kind of hard to wrap our. minds around. the kind of a lack of concern you're. showing. I mean, we just need need the. truth. We need to. make sure Kalani is okay. I mean, we get. it. Stuff happens. You know, people go.

through hard times. We understand that. >> Something happened. Something that [music] you don't. Whether or not Kalani's okay or not, something happened. After this happened, you guys [music]. discussed this, tried to come up with. story, talking about a person. who we know nothing [music] about. There's no proof that Marie even exists. So, what happened? Mistakes happen, Briana. >> [snorts]. >> What you do right now is. what matters.

>> I did. >> Hm? >> I did it by. >> All right. >> Briana finally breaks and confesses to. killing her daughter. After this. admission, she becomes visibly emotional. and for several minutes, detectives are. unable to get clear answers from her. As. they slowly piece together her. statements, a story begins to form. Briana claims she fell asleep on her. daughter while they were in the car, accidentally [music]. suffocating her. Panicked, she and Manny.

buried her daughter's body in a remote. wooded area where it has remained for. nearly a year. After the confession, [music] detectives decide to give Briana. a few minutes alone to collect herself. and to reconsider the story she's. choosing to tell because even now she's. taking full responsibility and insisting. Manny had no part in what happened. When. detectives returned to the room, they. know what they need to do next. Convince. Briana to be honest about Manny's role.

and where her daughter's body is buried. >> Hi Briana. Briana, how are you? I'm sorry about. You're okay? Sergeant Maryann. You getting anything? You need water or. anything? You need a snack? Okay. So, we kind of got a good. understanding of what's going on, okay? You're not in any kind of trouble right. now. We want to do what we can to help you,

okay? With. I guess you being willing to help us as. well, okay? Would you be willing to drive up to. Queens right now and kind of show us. where we need to go? >> I'm ready. >> You're going to go with us? Yeah, you're okay going with us? Yeah? How'd you get here? Manuel? Would you be comfortable with Manuel. going? >> Yeah. >> After agreeing to help detectives,

Briana seems to regain her composure. speaking calmly and answering questions. as if the weight of her confession has. already lifted. In the next room, Manny. has no idea his girlfriend just. confessed and took all the blame, but. he's about to find out as detectives. prepare to drive both of them to the one. place they never wanted anyone to find. >> You're ready?

Okay? All right. >> I'm ready. >> kind of like. >> Oh, sorry. This is Sergeant Daniel. >> Daniel. >> Daniel Geary. Nice to meet you. >> Nice to meet. >> As they prepare to leave, Breanna and. Manny are reunited and it's clear Manny. immediately realizes she's told officers.

the truth. The couple and officers then. drive out and hike deep into the woods. to recover the body. A grim walk that. will lead to what can only be described. as a nightmare. >> Good. >> Good. >> Sorry, Manny. Hey, let's go up to the tail end. Oh.

>> [music]. >> Go over by my head. Got it. Stay right here where the rocks are. >> Where the rock is? >> Where the rocks are. >> I'm sorry. >> The finger rock is right there on the. side. >> The little red hot spot? >> Yeah. >> Right there? >> Yeah, [music] she's buried in. >> That one just sticking out there like a. big old pimple. >> With all those stakes right there. >> She's underneath the rock? >> Yeah, she's underneath it. >> Those rocks.

Start walking back. Yeah. [music]. I marked it. >> Okay. >> So, I I don't want to keep you guys out. of loop. Just cuz you guys came down. here, showed us all this, but we're. going to do stuff the way [music] we do. handle it. And so, what we're going to. do is we've got to get a search warrant, of course, but we're going to bring out. our other resources and we're going to. do this the right way, okay? We're going. to hold off. We're going to secure this. >> Do we have your phone numbers and stuff.

so we can get a hold of you guys? >> Well, we got to give them We got to take. them back home, too. >> Oh, yeah, that's right. >> Yeah. >> Sorry, forgot about that. >> So, it's not like [music] we're just. coming marking and then leaving. So, I. just wanted you to know that that's not. what we're doing. So, it's going to be a. long process, okay? >> You're 100% certain that's the spot, though? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Do you need us to stand by after. we're done, you guys? >> I think we're good now. Um. we've been marking it along the way. >> By now, officers believe they've found. the burial site, but because it's.

already dark, they halt the search until. the following day. Before Briana and. Manny are allowed to leave, detectives. instruct them to return at noon. For. now, the pair isn't being detained and. are treated [music] as two people who. may simply be caught in a tragic. situation, at least based on what. they're admitting. A far cry from the. real truth behind their lies, a horrific. truth that police are just hours away. from discovering.

The next morning, Briana meets. detectives near the search site, but. strangely, Manny doesn't join her. Instead, he waits inside a detective's. car, refusing to return to the burial. location. Briana then leads. investigators back to the wooded area. with forensic experts following behind. She's about to give them the. confirmation they've been searching for, even though the couple responsible will. eventually still [music]. walk free.

>> Yeah, but that was over there. >> That was over there. >> Okay, I can check whether that's cuz. that's where it was. >> Okay. >> We tried as much as we could. >> Oh, okay. That's kind of like. >> Right here. >> That big old. >> You know. >> Same exact spot where it was. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> You want to hang out in the shade over. there, you guys? Thank you.

>> I got. >> Here's a brush if you want to brush. >> Yes. Can I try to break it? >> Here. >> Tragically, this discovery confirms. detectives worst fears. But as. investigators examine the remains, something stands out. Although the body. has decayed significantly, it still. shows signs of possible injuries. Suddenly, Briana's claims of an. accidental suffocation no longer seem as.

straightforward as she described, and. detectives now need to get to the bottom. of what really happened. So while. forensics continue their work, a. detective [music] speaks with Manny. hoping to determine whether Briana is. telling the truth or if she's just. protecting [music] him. What Manny says. next makes one thing unmistakably clear. He has no intention of taking. responsibility. >> We get it that's a baby. passed away, and you and Briana.

buried the baby out here. Why why would you try to hide that fact? >> I don't remember it. I think I remember the baby was being. really fussy. And Briana was like, you know what? Let's just. Let's just go outside for a sleep. So we. went outside and we tried like maybe. going to the car and then turning it. around and maybe like it didn't help. with the car being turned on and the. vibration. >> Mhm. >> Probably helped her go to sleep. >> Sleep, I can I can understand that. For.

as much as you want closure in this, you. don't think that that I want closure? I. have my own babies. But the only way that I can get that. closure, man, is if you guys just. help us. Like just And by helping us, I mean just. just be honest with us. And was the baby. Did you Did you Was the baby in in. backpack? Did you put the baby in and. and something. just both and I guess. I guess what I guess. And where you roughly showed us, that's.

where you remember to the best of your. knowledge as well. >> Despite the detectives' efforts to get. any reaction out of him, Manny remains. completely emotionless, taking no. responsibility, and insists it was. nothing more than an accident caused by. Breanna. With Breanna already taking all. the blame, detectives have no choice but. to accept their statements for now, and. the interview with Manny is wrapped up. Back at the burial site, forensics. [music] finish documenting the scene, and the remains are sent for autopsy. At.

this point, officers could arrest the. couple for tampering with evidence. They. already admitted to burying the body, but detectives make a different decision. and let the couple walk free. On the. surface, it seems like a strange choice, but in reality, it's a calculated move. that will become crucial later on. With. that decision, the scene is cleared, and. the day is wrapped up. Back at the station, investigators. regroup to discuss their plan. They. agree that letting the couple go, at.

least temporarily, is what's best for. the investigation. [music] There is no. autopsy yet, no confirmed cause of. death, and no clear way to prove who is. responsible. If Breanna and Manny were. arrested immediately, they would almost. certainly lawyer up, and detectives. would lose the only chance to confront. them once the medical evidence comes. back. By waiting, investigators gain a. strategic advantage, the opportunity to. secure a confession when the autopsy. reveals the truth. But their plan comes. with major risk. The couple is now.

completely free to disappear, and what. detectives [music] don't know yet is. that Manny has family in Mexico. Over the following week, investigators. wait for the autopsy results and begin. searching for anything that could help. strengthen their case. They're certain. Breanna hasn't told the full truth and. with Manny's history of abuse involving. his previous child and wife, there is. every reason to suspect foul play in. their daughter's death. So, to gain more. insight into the couple, detectives.

arranged to meet Breanna's aunt Ruby at. her workplace. At this point, Ruby has. no idea that her grand niece is long. gone and once detectives break the. tragic news to her, she will make it. clear just how big of a mistake it was. to let the couple walk free. >> If it's okay, is it okay if I ask you. some questions before we get started? Okay. So, how did this all come about? >> I. was 6 years old. Life had her. She lived. with me. At age 23, she left.

In and out, you know, once they turn 18, they know it all. She got pregnant. from some guy out of Texas. She was. excited to be a mom, but when she met. this guy she's with now, she messaged [music] me, "Thea, I have. my baby.". I rushed to the hospital. >> [music]. >> Where was that? >> Here. >> Here in Corpus Christi? >> Yes, sir. I took baby's pictures with the baby and. he got upset. Before he walked out that. room, he whispered something in her ear. and I looked at him like.

I said, "Is he Is he mad?" She says, "Yes, Thea. >> [music]. >> He's mad.". I said, "Well, I don't care if he gets. mad. I want to take pic- pictures of the. baby, me and the baby." Her brother was. sending her money every Fridays. to help her out with the baby. He would. ask her, "Where's my baby niece? I want. to meet my baby niece.". >> And her brother's. >> baby. Her brother, Brian. I spoke to him. last night. He goes, "I haven't heard. nothing, Thea." Well, her brother ended. up calling her. They argued and he told her, "Hey, I'm.

not going to be sending you any more. money if you don't bring me my baby. niece to meet her or even know her.". Every time they'd call, he said she'd. get the money and go and there's no. baby. >> Um. >> She said she left it with an aunt. We're. the only aunts. Me, one from Roswell, and the other two, they ain't even. capable of taking care of a kid. >> Ruby would continue describing more. concerning behavior from the couple, especially Manny's anger and hostility. around Briana's daughter. But as she. talks, she begins to sense that the. detective sitting across from her may.

already know far more about her. grandniece's condition than she does. >> Is there a baby? Did they take him in. for questioning? >> Give me your question. >> Or are they in the loop? Who, sir? >> Um. >> Is there a baby? >> So, the baby There was a. >> But they Y'all found her. >> I know, but we still have a lot of I.

know, >> [music]. >> and this is part of the judicial system. that we have. >> No. They should be locked up. They should be locked up. taking her to her doctor's visits or. anything. >> So, it's still under investigation, Ruby. There's still a lot of questions. we have, okay? >> Well, what did they say? >> Again, we haven't really [snorts] spoke. to them, okay? Um. >> They're going to be gone. If you go find. them, they're going to be gone. He's got.

[music] family in Mexico. He has family as long as he's from. Mexico. They have family in Juarez. >> Through her grief, she warns them about. something they hadn't fully considered. The couple could already be on the run, especially with Manny's connections in. Mexico. Additionally, her [music]. description of Briana as a follower only. reinforces what investigators heard. before. It's starting to make sense to. detectives why Briana would take the. blame, even if Manny played a bigger. role in what happened. By now, though,

Ruby is devastated knowing she will. never see her grandniece again. Her. reaction is far more emotional than. anything detectives have seen from. Briana, but sadly, the tragic [music]. news doesn't stop there because Ruby is. about to hear the most disturbing part. about her grand-niece's death. >> They killed her. He killed her. I know. he did. I could have had that baby. I could have. raised her. >> Do you know who the dad is of the baby?

>> we don't know him. >> Nobody knows? >> Nobody knows who he is. >> Um the baby has been sent up to. Albuquerque for an autopsy. >> How many months was she with. >> Um so you're going to need the blood. >> before she turned one? >> Probably. >> Oh my god. >> I don't know how old she was exactly, but I'm I'm guessing a month to two. months. >> When she passed away? Oh my god. So she Oh my god. >> Angie.

Going off the information that I was. told. >> [gasps]. >> Oh. I bet that he stopped breathing cuz all. they all he did was. when I got to that car it smelled like. bad bad like weed. I bet that he couldn't even breathe. Why are they still out in the loose? Well, we know about the autopsy. >> It's. It takes about 6 months. >> God. They'll be gone. They'll be gone.

>> That's why we don't want them. We don't. want to spook them away and we don't. want to be fooled. >> The minute y'all discovered that his. body they're gone. They're gone. I know they're gone. >> Ruby is justifiably furious. She wants. justice even if it means putting her own. niece behind bars, but without an. autopsy, detectives still don't have. definitive proof of how Briana's. daughter died or who is responsible. Making an arrest now could jeopardize.

the case. With that uncertainty hanging. over the investigation, detectives wrap. up the interview with Ruby. At this. point, they still believe waiting is a. safer option, but that decision comes. with a dangerous consequence. It gives. the couple exactly what they need, time. to run, disappear, and make sure they're. never found. Over 2 months later, the autopsy results. finally come in, and the findings are. more disturbing than anyone imagined.

The report reveals multiple injuries and. in the child's system. Most importantly, the manner of death is ruled a homicide. For the first time, detectives have. confirmation that foul play was. involved. Now, they need to figure out. which one of them is responsible, and. more importantly, where they are. Detectives are quickly sent out to. search for the couple, but they're. nowhere to be found. >> [music]. >> Days turn into weeks, and every possible.

address comes up empty. It begins to. look like Ruby was right all along. The. couple may have disappeared for good and. gotten away with the murder of her. grandniece. Eight full weeks pass, and still no sign. of Breanna or Manny. Then, in February, detectives receive a tip that the couple. has returned and is quietly staying at. Manny's father's trailer at a nearby. park. It's the first real lead since the. autopsy. Officers are dispatched, but.

they're told to keep the encounter calm. and convince the couple to come in. voluntarily. The goal is to extract a. confession, not spook them into running. again. Minutes later, they arrive at the. trailer park hoping this time the pair. won't slip away. >> See if you can come out. It's cold out. So, please come out in there. My phone's dead. though.

>> Hi. >> How are you? >> Good. How are you? >> Very good. >> Good, good. >> [clears throat]. >> Here, your kiddos home? >> Yeah, they're they're they're sleeping. >> Oh, okay. Hi. Nice to see you again. >> How are you? >> Doing good. >> Good. >> You want to call him? >> Yeah, if you don't mind. >> Brianna? No problem. >> Brianna? Sir, can you just call Brianna. out just for now? >> Okay. >> If you wouldn't mind. >> Brianna? How you doing? >> Hi, Ms. Brianna.

>> [music]. >> Some things have come up and I would I. would wanted know if you'd like the. chance or the opportunity to speak with. us on it. Okay, would you mind going to our. station just sit down and have a. conversation where it's a little more. >> Yeah. >> You'll go? Okay. >> We just want to share some things out, so. >> Yeah. >> We'll give you a ride and then we'll.

bring you right back. >> You don't have any knives or anything on. you? Okay. Do you mind if I just pat. search you just really quick just to. make sure you don't have anything on. you. No, you're good. Okay. >> Brianna doesn't ask a single question. and simply steps into the back of the. cruiser. A strangely calm reaction. considering she's been out of sight for. months, but things are about to get even. stranger once officers call Manny to. come out. >> One more time? >> One more time, huh? One more time. >> on? >> Hey.

>> Good, good. You mind coming and talking. with us? Can you deal with that? >> Okay. >> Cool. >> All right. Okay. >> We'll ride over, yeah. >> Just just as a precaution, I just got to. pat you down to make sure you don't have. any. >> Yes, sir. >> All right. I appreciate it, okay? >> Sure. >> Thank you. We'll be back. >> Manny's reaction is just as baffling as. Breanna's. He also agrees to come along. without asking a single question. An odd.

level of cooperation for a couple who's. avoided police for [music] nearly 2. months. The pair is quickly transported. to the station. Upon arrival, they're. separated immediately. Detective Amanda. Keller leads both interrogations. Investigators need to determine which. one of the two is responsible [music] or. whether they both played a role. And if. they can't sort that out, prosecutors. may never be able to prove who [music]. actually killed the child and both. Breanna and Manny could walk away. without a single murder charge. For.

[music] the killer couple, everything is. on the line as well. If one of them. slips up, they risk a life sentence. But. if they both stick to the same story, [music]. there's a chance they get nothing more. than tampering charges or even walk out. completely free for the second time. >> Knock knock. Hi, Miss Breanna. Did you get some. water? >> Yeah, we did. >> Oh, okay. I know it's been a while. So again, my. name is Amanda Keller. This is Edward. Aranda.

Um so we're here today to like we said. out there, basically this investigation. is coming to an end. Um and we just had. additional questions for you. How. [music] did that night start off? >> Well, okay. I was tired and whenever I. after I gave birth and all that, I got. depression [music] pills. So I would. take those. And that when that time happened, I took. that and I [music] took allergy pills. So whenever that happened, Okay, cuz the whole [music] car thing, I.

I know I said that. But the actual the. actual thing was I [music] we were in. the bed. And I. flipped over him. >> So you woke up, baby was cold, you. started doing CPR. What about Manny? What was Manny doing? >> And I mean I I tried getting him to wake. up, but. he he freaked [music] out like like oh. what the hell is happening? >> Okay, and then what did you decide to. do? >> I just. put a plastic bag over everything and.

>> [music]. >> that's how you feel now? >> I guess I'm just confused as to why. y'all would say that you were living in. the vehicle. >> We were just staying in like just. >> [music]. >> I don't know. I don't know why I said. that. I was just freaked out. >> How do you feel? >> Breanna still clings to the claim that. her daughter's death was accidental and. through it all she continues defending. Manny insisting he had nothing to do. with it. What Breanna doesn't know is. that police already have an autopsy that.

directly contradicts her explanation of. what happened that night and the. detective is about to use it to. completely dismantle her story. >> So she did test positive for. Do you know why that would be? >> I'm not sure. >> Okay. Do you use. Does Manny use. >> [music]. >> Has he used. >> He hasn't used it whenever we got. together or anything that I know of. No. >> Okay.

>> We're just trying to figure out. why are these lab results telling us. this? We know you know. Did he use opiate? It's a very addicting drug. >> Does he still use? >> No. >> Well, that's good. >> No, he changed to weed. It makes him like you know not not what. not not withdrawal.

>> Yeah. >> I think it's a. huge. >> It's okay. >> How long did he use for? >> I don't know. >> You don't know? But is it like some. months? Is it. some years? >> Breanna's hesitation to admit Manny's. drug use only confirms what detectives. already suspect. She's hiding the truth, and she seems far more focused on. protecting Manny than revealing what. happened to her own daughter. But.

Breanna's denials are about to end. because detectives still have more. gruesome details from the autopsy. Things only a truly evil parent could. do. >> So, when we review the autopsy, there. were also some injuries to her bones. [music]. Um and one was before she had passed. Do you know why she would have injuries. to her. to her.

or to. her leg? Did you ever leave her with anybody? Um. >> Mhm. >> So, it was primarily either you or Manny. around her at [music] all times? >> Did you really fall asleep on Kalani? >> Yeah. >> And that's what killed her? >> Were you guys arguing and. you may have taken it out on Kalani or.

was she upset? >> I just feel like [music] he didn't like. the crying all the time. Kalani got. >> This was just one [music] time? >> Yeah, it's all the time. >> All the time? But when you hurt her, was this just one. time or was this [music] all the time? >> It was just once. >> Once? >> It was never like every day, just that. time. [music]. >> So, he just lost his cool. >> It's kind of got out of hand. >> He seems like a real mellow guy.

>> Yeah. It's not that. I just feel like. when he went to military, I feel like it. changed him. >> [music]. >> Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, that can happen. And if you don't. get help for it, it just kind of [music]. backs up. >> I was like that once, too. Then I got. help because I was always trying to. kill. >> Yeah. >> For the first time, Briana isn't blaming. herself. She's hinting that Manny may. have played a role in the child's death. It is at this point detectives decide to.

pause the interrogation and give her a. short break, worried that she might shut. down completely if they push any harder. But when they [music] return to the. room, something has changed. Briana. can't hide the truth any longer. She's. about to break and finally reveal what. happened to her daughter that fateful. night. >> Do you really think he's going to be. honest, or do you think he's going to. put it on you? >> I'm not really scared of him putting it. on me. I'll be like, "You did it, Manny.". That's fine if he blames me. >> Fine if you tell it if he It's fine if.

he blames me. >> Why is that fine? >> That shouldn't be. >> Fine. >> [music]. >> You think that's right? >> No. >> Why did you say earlier if you felt like. if you had met somebody else that. >> [music]. >> Because none of this would happen. >> Why is that? >> I [music] just feel like he's different, like. ever since he went to the military.

>> [music]. >> It's okay, Briana. >> It's not your fault. >> It's not your fault. >> [music]. >> It's not your fault. >> I don't want to move back. >> To what? >> [music]. >> See, now I don't want to move back. >> I get it. You don't have to. >> Briana, we know that, right? He isn't. helping you. >> You [music] don't have to go back there. >> You don't feel trapped.

>> You don't have to go back [music] there. >> Why do you blame yourself, Briana? >> [music]. >> Because I have nowhere else to go. We can find somewhere for you to go. >> [music]. >> You know your family loves you. I know that you find. They [music] do. They do. Even still, they still take up. for you. They still ask about you if. we've heard from you. They love you. They do.

Regardless of what's happened. >> Aunt Ruby. All my life I've lived [music] with her. She was good to me. >> Briana, this is the first step, though. You. >> This is. >> This is. >> This is. I should have listened. But it's okay because you're doing it. now. That's the point. You're doing it now. >> Yeah, now it's late. >> When is it too late? It should have. happened earlier. >> But it's not too late, right?

It's not too late. >> [snorts]. >> Do you feel safe, Briana? That's what. we're getting at. Do you want our help? Do you want us to give you a little bit. of time to think real quick? >> We'll find you a Coke. >> Try to find you something. >> I don't know if I was safe I just like I. said I don't know if he's. How is he going to react? Like yeah. He asked me stuff like this. >> Briana's lies are unraveling before her.

eyes. She says the military changed. Manny, insisting that if it weren't for. him, her daughter would still be alive. As she breaks down, even the detectives. grow emotional. With Briana's side of. the story now revealed, detectives wrap. up the interview and move her into. another room, ready to question the. person they believe is the real killer. This time, their strategy is different. They plan to confront him with evidence. almost immediately and see whether his.

version of events aligns with Breanna's. But after avoiding consequences for more. than a year, Manny still believes he can. talk his way out of trouble. And the. worst part is, he might be right. >> It just depends on the head bolts and. there was whatever one you want. >> What kind of medication did you take. that night? >> I didn't take medication. [music]. Took pills of. >> So, what does that normally do to you? How does that affect your body? >> It knocks me out. >> [music]. >> It does what, I'm sorry?

>> It knocks me out. >> Knocks you out like just makes you. tired? >> Just puts me to sleep. That's all it. does. >> Okay. [music] Okay, so even in that. time, right? She can't hold her head up, right? She can't crawl. >> [music]. >> So, she's very dependent on somebody, right? To hold her, to move her, >> [music]. >> right? She can't just put something in. her mouth or however. Okay, so how would. she have con-. So, who else could have been around her. and. smoked it or somehow. >> Nobody else. [music].

>> Okay. That doesn't make sense to me. Do. you see how we're kind of. >> [music]. >> If you're smoking it, how did the baby get a hold of it? >> That's what I don't understand, either. >> Manny's admission to taking the drugs. only further confirms detective's. suspicions. [music]. At this point, he is their primary focus. and investigators believe he's the one. responsible for their daughter's death. So, they stop circling around the topic. and decide to fully accuse Manny of. murder to see if they can break his. story and elicit a confession.

>> This is your knee, essentially, right? And right here it was injured. Do you see that? It's more of a This isn't like an actual. This isn't more of like a. >> diagram. >> Yeah, like here's your right? And then. it's right here on the corner. With that finger. Do you know why she would have had. injury right there? >> No, miss. The only The only thing that.

that I would know The only thing that. worried me was her probably being. cuz whenever we did do the CPR. >> Mhm. >> that's what the only called the injuries. that I would know like. >> Did we ever yank her leg or anything? Nothing like that? >> No, sir. >> Okay. [clears throat]. >> Manuel, I'm going to I'm going to be. honest with you. We know. We know what happened. Like the facts. don't lie on the autopsy report, okay? We know that. the injuries occurred before death. [music].

All right, so that CPR doesn't play a. factor. Okay. So, medical examiners have a way of. proving. injuries before death because the bone. will actually start to try to heal. almost immediately. Does that make. sense? You're still getting blood flow. and all that kind of stuff. I don't know. the science behind it, but based off what happened, injuries were prior to death. Meaning. she was still alive when the injuries. occurred. All injuries. Does that make sense?

>> As detectives continue laying out the. evidence against him, Manny sits. stone-faced. This is the moment where. everything hangs in the balance. With. all cards on the table and murder. accusations in front of him, Manny could. shut down the entire interrogation, ask. for a lawyer, and refuse to answer. another question. What happens next will. determine not only his fate, but. Breanna's as well. >> Just tell us, Manny. >> I know I already know. >> I mean, she.

she was being fussy and and I got upset. and. and I grabbed her by a leg and yanked. her and. she wouldn't stop crying, so. I sat on top of her. >> Okay. >> And I was. And I was. >> How long did you sit on top of her? >> Not long. Maybe like a minute. Maybe that's a little bit longer. >> Until Until [music] what? >> She stopped crying. >> And then? >> That's it. >> When did you know. that she had died?

>> Mhm. Whenever I got over she stopped crying, so I thought she was like, "Oh gosh.". I checked her and she wasn't breathing. >> Okay. And then what? [music]. >> And that's when we started doing CPR. >> Okay. Were you panicking? Did you know what happened? Why didn't. y'all call 911? >> No, that's my That wasn't my call. Briana wanted to call them, but I told.

her not to. >> She just freaked out and just was. scared. >> What was Briana doing when everything. was happening? >> Mhm. I think she was in the kitchen. I don't know. I don't know. And she came in and she like. told her I was like, "He's not. breathing.". And then we did CPR. >> Did she see what happened? She didn't see it? There's no way for her to stop it or. nothing like that?

Was that the first time you have lost. your temper? Was it just the constant crying just. kind of got to you or. just a split second just kind of lost. it? >> Manny finally admits he snapped and. killed Briana's daughter in a moment of. rage. Following his confession, both. suspects are taken into custody. Manny. on charges of child. >> [music]. >> resulting in death and Briana for. tampering with evidence and helping bury. the body. But despite a murder. confession, both Briana and Manny will.

ultimately walk out of jail. As of. September 2025, both have been released on bond while. awaiting trial. They are right now free, unrestricted, unsupervised, and able to. disappear at any moment. Manny is likely. facing a life sentence if convicted. Breanna, for her role in hiding the. body, is expected to receive a. significantly shorter term, but that's. only if they show up to court. With. Manny's family ties in Mexico and both.

suspects currently out in the world, there is always a chance they could. vanish again, this time for good.