Yesterday morning (July 10, 2021) at approximately 3 a.m., the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Union County, New Jersey Prosecutor’s Office. It was regarding an alert of an endangered adult, 24-year-old Yasemin Uyar, and an endangered two-year-old child, Sebastian Rios. It indicated 27-year-old Tyler Rios, former boyfriend of Uyar and father of Sebastian, may or could harm them. Tyler Rios was supposed to be driving a Silver 2018 Ford Fiesta.

At approximately 3:15 a.m., Monterey police located the vehicle in the parking lot of the Bethel Inn Hotel located near I-40. Authorities next began to gather information and investigate, verifying Tyler Rios had in fact rented and was occupying a room at the hotel. Law enforcement made contact with Rios and attempted to convince him to surrender and exit his room. Rios refused to do so, at which time law enforcement entered the hotel room by force taking Rios into custody. Two-year-old Sebastian Rios was also inside the room, unharmed, and was instantly taken by law enforcement and placed in a protected location and cared for.

Investigators then obtained search warrants for both the hotel room and the Ford Fiesta. The vehicle was transported to the TBI forensic crime lab for further forensic analysis.

Tyler Rios reportedly cooperated with law enforcement and led authorities to a location inside Putnam County, just inside Monterey city limits on Highway 70. It was there the deceased body of Uyar was located.

Tyler Rios is currently being held in the Putnam county jail on a felony fugitive charge without bond. Further charges are expected from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, which could possibly include murder and kidnapping. The FBI is also actively involved in the investigation as well.

“I am very pleased with the professionalism of Putnam Sheriff deputies, Monterey police Officers and the cooperation with other agencies involved. I am thankful for the wellbeing and unharmed two-year-old. I would also like to express my sadness regarding the death of Yasemin Uyar and condolences to her family and friends,” said Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris.

The alert was issued last Friday morning for Sebastian Rios after he hadn’t shown up for daycare and Uyar did not arrive for work. Investigators identified Tyler Rios as a suspect. Family members believed Tyler Rios planned to hide out with kin in Georgia. Karen Uyar, Yasmine’s mother, said her daughter suffered a violent past with Tyler Rios.