LAKE COUNTY, Ill. (WLS) — A significant development has occurred in the case of Megan Bos, a 37-year-old woman from Antioch who had been missing since early March.
Authorities confirmed the arrest of Rodriguez Mendoza-Gonzalez, a 52-year-old Waukegan man, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Mendoza-Gonzalez was charged with concealing Bos’s body, which was discovered in a container in his yard in April.
The circumstances around Bos’s death have raised serious concerns and heartache for her family.
For Jennifer Bos, the grieving mother, the discovery of her daughter’s body brings a mix of anguish and the hope for justice.
“She was found that way, and that was so unexpected,” she expressed.
An autopsy suggested that Megan Bos may have died from a fentanyl overdose, but Mendoza-Gonzalez was allegedly present at the time of her death, prompting accusations that he concealed her body for two months at his home.
As the investigation continues, the Lake County Coroner has yet to determine the final cause of death.
Mendoza-Gonzalez faces multiple charges, including concealment of a death, abuse of a corpse, and obstructing justice.
According to Jennifer Bos, there were disturbing details involved in how her daughter was hidden.
“He had put her inside, covered her with a blanket, and I was told there was a carpet over that, with a large amount of very strongly bleach-smelling liquid in the container with her,” she recounted.
Initially, after the court appearance on April 12, Mendoza-Gonzalez was granted pre-trial release, a decision that has frustrated the Bos family.
Mendoza-Gonzalez’s charges did not warrant holding him under the Illinois SAFE-T Act regulations, which left the Bos family feeling helpless and distressed.
Jennifer Bos said, “It has driven me crazy every single day to think that he’s been out there.”
The situation grew more alarming when it was revealed that Megan Bos had known Mendoza-Gonzalez personally.
Efforts to understand how she might have come into contact with fentanyl are ongoing, as prosecutors investigate further.
The investigation took a new turn when it became known that Mendoza-Gonzalez is from Mexico and has been living in the U.S. illegally.
In an effort to seek justice and awareness about addiction, Jennifer Bos attended an event at the White House focused on fentanyl legislation.
During the event, she managed to get President Donald Trump’s attention, addressing her daughter’s tragic circumstances directly.
“He started walking past, and I threw my hand in the air, and I said, ‘Mr. president,’ and he turned around and looked at me,” she shared, recalling the moment.
Two days after her impactful moment at the White House, federal authorities detained Mendoza-Gonzalez.
“I am thrilled,” Jennifer expressed. “I don’t know what’s gonna happen now, but I do know he wasn’t sleeping in his bed last night.”
While this development brings some relief, Jennifer is focused on bringing awareness to the SAFE-T Act and its implications.
She believes that the act delayed justice in her daughter’s case and is advocating for changes.
Local lawmakers are taking notice, including 64th District State Representative Thomas Weber, who emphasized the need for change in legislative measures surrounding such cases.
“The state of Illinois, Governor Pritzker needs to hear the voice of these families who have lost loved ones, and we need to act on it immediately before more lives are lost,” he stated.
Lake County States Attorney Eric Rinehart indicated that his office would work with DHS to transfer Mendoza-Gonzalez to local custody.
He aims to prosecute Mendoza-Gonzalez for the alleged felonies, which could include potential consecutive prison sentences.
While legal proceedings unfold, Jennifer Bos cherishes the memories of her daughter.
She is now caring for Megan Bos’s 6-year-old child, a poignant reminder of the impact of addiction on families.
Jennifer reflected on her struggles with her daughter, stating, “I thought she had changed into something she wasn’t. It’s not that she changed. She just had been taken over by this addiction. She was the same person she always was.”
Through her grief, Jennifer hopes her story can resonate with other parents dealing with similar situations, advocating for greater understanding and support for those battling addiction.
image source from：abc7chicago
