LAS VEGAS (AP) — Monday, a child whose body was found near a highway outside of Pahrump, Nev. last week was confirmed to be 7-year-old Liam Husted of San Jose, Calif., authorities stated.

Police say his mother, 35-year-old Samantha Moreno Rodriguez, is a suspect in his death.

Husted and Rodriguez were last seen alone at a Denver-area hotel May 31, per Las Vegas Police Lt. Ray Spencer.

Spencer confirmed Rodriguez is now being sought on a murder warrant in Las Vegas.

Spencer described what he called a “heartbreaking conversation” with the boy’s father, and said he is not a suspect in his killing.

“There’s a lot of moving parts to this investigation,” the homicide lieutenant told reporters. “It is extremely active and ongoing.”

The mother and boy left San Jose on May 24 driving a dark blue 2007 Dodge Caliber sedan with the back seat packed full of belongings, Spencer said.

A family friend told San Jose police on Friday that she had not seen the two in more than a week. The friend recognized the boy from a rendering that was prepared by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and distributed by the media.

Husted and Rodriguez were seen May 26 in Laguna Beach and Victorville, Calif., Spencer confirmed.

Husted’s body was found shortly after dawn May 28 behind a bush at a trailhead off the main highway between Las Vegas and Pahrump.

He became the focus of an intense public campaign that on Thursday included an offer from the FBI of up to $10,000 for information to identify him and his assailant.

Spencer did not say if anyone became eligible for the reward, and no FBI official spoke Monday with reporters.

Police are still trying to determine where the mother and boy stayed May 26, Spencer said. Police believe the body was left near Nevada State Route 160 after dark May 27.