Drew Karedes

KHOU-TV, Houston

HOUSTON — A baby reported missing after his mother's body was discovered in a refrigerator at a Houston apartment was found safe in Mexico on Friday.

Patrick Lambert, father of 11-month-old Achilles Lambert, was taken into custody Friday afternoon by Mexican authorities with help from the FBI, according to Houston police. Both are being returned to the U.S.

Achilles was found in Querétaro, Mexico, about 10 hours south of the border. Investigators are still looking into how Patrick Lambert, 38, and Achilles ended up in Mexico.

The boy's mother, Anastacia Oalikhena Lambert, 27, was found dead inside a refrigerator in the family's apartment in Houston on Monday. Police named Patrick Lambert as a person of interest in her murder.

Police had difficulty tracking down Patrick Lambert because they didn't know what kind of vehicle he was driving and didn't have a license plate number. Investigators learned from neighbors that Patrick Lambert was talking about leaving town two weeks before Anastacia Oalikhena Lambert was found dead. Police said she had been stabbed.

Patrick Lambert had lived in several places, including Clearwater, Fla., New York and Hawaii. It's not clear how long the couple had been in Houston, but they moved into the Braeswood Oaks Apartments in southeast Houston in June.

Police said a maintenance worker entered their apartment Monday after he detected a strong odor coming from the unit. The maintenance worker discovered the body, which police believe could have been there as long as three weeks.

Because Anastacia didn't have a job or family in the area, no one realized she was missing, police said.

Three months ago, Anastacia called 911 to report her husband was threatening her with a knife. Officers went to the apartment, but no charges were filed.

Neighbors said they're relieved that Achilles has been found. "Thank you, Jesus — that's all I can say," Aberline Hopkins said.

One neighbor had a message for Patrick Lambert: "You reap what you sow," Nicole Barnes said. "Everything that is done in the dark does come out in the light."