A child dies. Two men vanish. Police investigate secretive California religious group

LOS ANGELES — The ambulance siren blared down the quiet residential street where a 4-year-old boy was dying.

When police and paramedics arrived at 1521 Latham St. in Colton, California, they had no clue they were entering the home of a secretive religious group that — years later — would land in the spotlight after two members were reported missing.

Inside the house, police found Timothy Thomas unresponsive with vomit around his mouth, according to an investigative report from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Coroner Division.

The boy, according to Colton Police Sgt. Shawn McFarland, was in the temporary custody of Darryl Muzic Martin and his wife, Shelly Bailey “Kathryn” Martin — leaders of a religious group called His Way Spirit Led Assemblies.

Timothy died on Jan. 16,