Search for Missing Boys Moves to Different Landfill

Orange detectives today used cadaver dogs to search another landfill for two boys believed murdered by their father, who's also charged with killing their mother.

Shazer Fernando Limas, arrested May 3, is charged with the murders of his wife, 31-year-old Arlet Hernandez Contreras, and their two boys: year-old Fernando and 3-month-old Emmanuel, in the family's Orange apartment in the 3000 block of West Chapman Ave.

Contreras' body was found April 25 dumped in La Puente but she was not positively identified until about a week later.

A search of the Brea Landfill last week found no trace of the boys. Detectives learned that the trash haulers under contract to the apartment complex also took refuse to the Frank Bowerman Landfill in Irvine, Orange police Sgt. Dan Adams said.

A new search started this morning, Adams said, adding that he expected the painstaking process to last about four days.

Workers at the landfill have spread out garbage collected from the area around the date of April 14 -- the time detectives believe the killings occurred. That same day Limas allegedly went to a Long Beach hospital to have cut on a hand treated.

Limas, 31, was charged May 7 with three counts of murder. A special circumstance allegation of multiple murders has been filed, making Limas eligible for the death penalty. Prosecutors have not decided whether to seek execution.

The charges also include a sentencing enhancement allegation of using a deadly weapon, according to Deputy District Attorney Scott Simmons.

Lima's arraignment is set for May 23.