Search For Missing Boy Stalls In Canal

PATTERSON, Calif. (CBS13) -- After pulling nearly a dozen vehicles out of 12 miles of the Delta-Mendota Canal, Stanislaus County investigators are halting the search of the murky waters, at least for now.

The search for kidnapped 4-year-old Juliani Cardenas returned to the area of the canal where a farm worker reportedly spotted the suspect's silver sedan drive into the water less than an hour after the boy's disappearance.

Dive teams found more objects in the area Wednesday afternoon, but after tow trucks hoisted the vehicles above water, authorities determined they had no connection with Cardenas' disappearance.

Police issued an Amber Alert on January 18 after Jose Rodriguez, the ex-boyfriend of the victim's mother, allegedly kidnapped Juliani out of his grandmother's arms and sped off in a silver 2003 Toyota Corolla.

Investigators received few credible leads and say the farm worker's report is the only substantial tip they can act on.

Detectives are working with the FBI to match tire tracks leading into the canal with the records of tire purchases at a local auto repair shop.