HOBART | Investigators believe they have found the slain body of missing 2-year-old Jada Justice in rural LaPorte County and have taken two suspects into custody, Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter said Thursday.

"We have reason to believe that we have recovered the body of Jada Justice but we do not know from forensic standpoint," Carter said. "We feel very comfortable that we do, in fact, have Jada Justice."

MORE: Click here for more reports on the Jada Justice case.

Carter said two people are in custody in relation to the murder investigation into the toddler's June 16 disappearance. He would not confirm the identities of those in custody, saying it was still an active investigation.

However, other sources with knowledge of the investigation said Thursday that the baby sitter Engelica Castillo and her boyfriend Tim Tkachik were arrested at a rural Porter County residence near Valparaiso Wednesday night in connection with the case.

Carter said charges are expected to filed in the case Friday.

LaPorte County Coroner John Sullivan told The Times Thursday that he was aware police were searching an area near U.S. 421 in rural LaPorte County in connection with the Jada Justice case, but he said he could not comment on the matter as it was not his agency's case.

As of 4:30 p.m. Thursday, police and FBI agents had closed off Snyder Road, just north of the toll road and a couple hundred yards west of U.S. 421 near Otis, Ind.

Sullivan said the recovery is a LaPorte County case, but an autopsy on the remains will be performed Friday in Lake County.

Authorities believe Tkachik burned his face when he tried to burn Jada's dead body, a source close to the investigation said. Mug shots released by authorities clearly show blistered and burn-damaged skin on Tkachik's face.

The source said Jada did not die of those burns, and authorities believe Jada may have died two weeks ago Saturday -- several days before Castillo reported the toddler's disappearance.

Interviewed near the rural Porter County residence where Castillo and Tkachik were reportedly arrested, Jamie Napier, of Portage, said her estranged boyfriend, Castillo and Tkachik along with three others were arrested during a police raid of the house. She said she was told by FBI agents Thursday that she could come to the house, where her estranged boyfriend lives, and collect belongings for her sons, ages 5 and 7. Napier said she shares custody of her children with the estranged boyfriend.

Napier said she first learned of the raid at the cottage when a neighbor called her Wednesday evening. She said she then drove to the house and saw her estranged boyfriend, Castillo and Tkachik being arrested.

Investigators had been searching the area near the 3900 block of Hobart's Missouri Street since June 16, when the 18-year-old Castillo reported the little girl missing.

Gary police investigators, who also are involved in the case, have since said that Castillo appeared under the influence of a substance when she spoke to police.

Castillo's mother, Rita Rincon, denied police criticism that Castillo has been uncooperative with authorities in the investigation.

Rincon said Castillo and Tkachik -- both questioned by police -- have been out with other volunteers passing out fliers with Jada's information, trying to find the girl.

"We've been doing everything we can," Rincon said. "That's all of us."

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