PATTERSON, Calif. -- A body matching the description of the suspect in the kidnapping of a 4-year-old boy has been found in a Central California canal.

Stanislaus County authorities say the body was discovered around 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the Delta-Mendota Canal, near Patterson, by a water authority employee.

Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson says based on the physical description and clothing found on the body, he believes it is that of 27-year-old Jose Rodriguez.

But a positive identification is pending.

Rodriguez is suspected of kidnapping 4-year-old Juliani Cardenas from the boy's Patterson home on Jan 18. He is Juliani's mother's ex-boyfriend.

Juliani's body was found in the same canal on Feb. 1 further downstream.
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