Baby Andrew Search Continues; Police K-9 Bitten By Snake

MIAMI, FL — A police K-9 was bitten by a venomous water snake Thursday as the search for baby Andrew Caballeiro continued nearly a month after the Miami-Dade newborn disappeared following the triple slayings of the child's mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office said K-9 Phi was bitten by a water moccasin while assisting the FBI with a search of the Everglades.

"Anti-venom was administered and he is currently being monitored," the sheriff's office said of the K-9. "His prognosis for recovery is good."

Detective Chris Thomas of the Miami-Dade Police Department said the agency has received assistance from the FBI along with local and state agencies.

"We continue to follow all leads in the search for baby Andrew," he told Patch. "We’re hopeful that we’ll find him. We’re still in partnership with our local, state and federal partners. Everyone is contributing right now."

Spokesman Jim Marshall of the FBI in Miami confirmed the agency was conducting a search of the Everglades Thursday but said he was unable to release additional details.

Amanda Hunter of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office said her agency was called in by the FBI because of its capabilities.

"We are one of the only agencies that has human remains detection ... K-9s in-house," she said. "K9 Phi is one of three HRD K-9s within the Pasco Sheriff's Office."

A reward in the case has increased to $8,000 in recent weeks for information that leads to the child, who disappeared in southwest Miami-Dade County on Jan. 28.

The baby's father — 49-year-old Ernesto Caballeiro — was found dead of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound a day after the triple shootings, about 35 miles from Tampa in the Blanton area of Pasco County.

Pasco County Sheriff's deputies searched the surrounding area for the child with bloodhounds and even riders on horseback after Caballeiro's white Ford van was discovered on a stretch of Jessamine Road about 3 miles from Interstate 75.

The additional reward money came from the Florida Sheriff’s Association Criminal Apprehension Assistance Program and the Miami-Dade and Florida Keys Crime Stoppers.

The three women were found dead by a family member from gunshot wounds inside a home in the 21900 block of SW 187th Avenue. An Amber Alert was issued the following morning for the child.

The shooting victims have been identified as 40-year-old Arlety Garcia Valdes, 60-year-old Isabela Valdes and 84-year-old Lina Gonzalez. At least two of the women lived in the home were the shooting took place.

Police hope the baby's father gave the child to someone for safe keeping since there was no car seat in the van when it was discovered.

To report a tip, call 911 or call Miami-Dade police at 305-471-2400.