DA Says He's Optimistic Missing Boy Alive

After blood test results, authorities still searching for missing boy.

ByABC News
August 29, 2008, 8:34 AM

Aug. 29, 2008 — -- The Essex district attorney says test results are back on blood found at the home of a missing boy's father, and he's hopeful the 5-year-old is alive.

Jonathan Blodgett told The Daily Item of Lynn on Wednesday that he can't disclose the results because of the ongoing investigation. But he said: "We still have optimistic hopes Giovanni Gonzalez is alive."

Police found blood on a mop and a cleaning container in Ernesto Gonzalez' apartment. Investigators said the father had an open cut and a bandaged finger on his hand that he would not explain.

Prosecutors say the boy was dropped off at his father's home Aug. 15. When the boy's mother went to pick him up two days later, Gonzalez said their son wasn't there.

Gonzalez has pleaded not guilty to child endangerment. He's held on $500,000 bail.