Father of Slain Children Now Charged

The father of two young boys killed Wednesday evening has now been charged in their deaths, Gwinnett County police said Saturday.

Elvis Noe Garcia-Nelasco, 23, is charged with two felony counts of murder and one felony count of aggravated assault, according to police records. Original charges brought against Antonio Cardenas-Rico have been dropped, but he remains in custody for drug charges, police said.

Garcia-Nelasco was booked at 10:42 a.m., according to online records of the Gwinnett County Detention Center. Police have also identified the man as Elvis Noe-Garcia.

Police initially charged Cardenas-Rico, 28, with the murders of Bradley Garcia, 3, and his 1 year-old brother Edward. A third child, 3, was also attacked and stabbed. The boys were reportedly stabbed in at their home at 1110 Bridle Path Drive in the unincorporated part of Lawrenceville. 

The third child survived, and he was taken to a children's hospital for treatment. The children’s father was also injured and treated at a local hospital.

Police said Saturday that Garcia-Nelasco had identified Cardenas-Rico as the assailant. After a search by homicide and narcotics units, Cardenas-Rico was apprehended and arrested Thursday. However, police said Saturday that he "denied any knowledge of or involvement in the assaults."

Shortly after Cardenas-Rico's arrest, police said they detected discrepancies between victim statements, evidence and an alibi for Cardenas-Rico. The crime scene was recreated to help detectives gain further insight.

Police said the case appeared at first to be a "clear-cut investigation," but after three days of additional work, another suspect emerged.

Garcia-Nelasco is being held without bond at Gwinnett County Detention Center. In addition to his felony charges, he is also being detained for an immigration hold.