Missing Lynn boy sparks massive search

LYNN – The mother of 5-year-old Giovanni Gonzalez sobbed in a Lynn courtroom Monday while trying to understand how her son went missing and why his father won’t tell police where he is.Ernesto Gonzalez, 36, of 2 Brightwood Terrace #2, Lynn, was arrested at 3 a.m. Monday and charged with child endangerment after refusing to tell investigators the boy’s location.Daisy Colon, of East Boston, told police she dropped off her son at Gonzalez’ home Friday night for a weekend visit. She returned to pick him up Sunday night, but when she arrived Gonzalez said their son wasn’t with him.After tireless efforts to get Gonzalez to tell police what happened, Lynn and state police issued an “Endangered Child Advisory” late Monday afternoon.Essex County First Assistant District Attorney John Dawley requested $500,000 cash bail at Giovanni’s arraignment in Lynn District Court, which Judge Stacey Fortes-White granted.”We have a 5-year-old boy who disappeared (and) we have a father who for all intents and purposes will not cooperate,” Dawley said.A visibly upset Colon said outside court she couldn’t understand why the judge didn’t press Gonzalez for more answers.”Why didn’t she ask him about my son?” Colon said before a court advocate led her away.A massive police search was underway Monday night. State Police homicide detectives searched Gonzalez’ apartment building, while nearly 30 units from Lynn and State Police searched the woods near High Rock Tower.Hamilton Avenue resident Jim Bell began searching the woods himself after seeing news reports of the missing child. He found a blanket and pointed it out to investigators.”When I see something like this on TV, it kills me,” Bell said.Margarita Laboy, Giovanni’s paternal great aunt, made an emotional plea for the boy to return home safe.”Just come home Giovanni, come home. Call 911 and let us know that you’re all right. Come home. We need you,” Laboy said. “He’s a beautiful boy, an intelligent boy.”According to Dawley, neighbors reported seeing Giovanni and his dad playing ball together this weekend, despite the father’s claims that he didn’t see his son at all.In addition, Dawley said Gonzalez refused to tell police how he suffered a noticeable laceration to his left finger. In court, the prosecutor said Gonzalez has a previous conviction of assault and battery with a knife.”(It) gives us cause for concern,” Dawley said.Dawley said Gonzalez had made statements to the boy’s mother about wanting to take him on a vacation to Puerto Rico and investigators are looking into that angle.”Yes, Puerto Rico is of some concern to us,” Dawley said.In court, Dawley argued, “Not only does he know the whereabouts of the boy but we’re very concerned about his well being.”The prosecutor said Gonazalez gave several inconsistent statements to police, including that he never had talked to the boy’s mother this weekend. However, phone records proved the two had spoken, according to Dawley.”Our focus has been on this defendant and no one else,” Dawley said. “We’re hopeful that between the resources of the Lynn Police and the State Police ? that we’re hoping someone will come forward (with information).”Despite evidence of a violent past, family members aren’t sure if Gonzalez would harm his boy.”He’s not capable of hurting his son. No, I don’t think so,” Laboy said.Tracey Contreras, Gonzalez’ cousin, said through tears she is very worried about Giovanni.”When you’re a mother? it’s going to affect you if you have a heart,” Contreras said. “I just want Giovanni home and if anybody’s seen him please call the Lynn police. That’s all I’m asking.”Giovanni is described as a Hispanic male, weighs 40 pounds, is about 4-foot-2 and has a slight birthmark on his inner left ankle. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a red shirt and “Spiderman” sandals. He was also holding a black “Transformers” backpack.Monday’s disappearance has many Lynners remembering the case of Jesus De La Cruz, the 6-year-old boy who went missing from Park