According to online reports, Chicago police have transferred custody of the “person of interest” in the murders of Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother to the state Dept. of Corrections.

From the beginning, William Balfour, 27, the estranged husband of Jennifer Hudson’s sister Julia Hudson, was believed to be the gunman who shot and killed Darnell Donerson, 57, and her son Jason Hudson, 29, in their Englewood home on Friday.

But Balfour’s mother and other family members insisted he didn’t commit the homicides.

Hudson’s 7-year old nephew Julian King disappeared from the home after the murders and police believed he was in the company of Balfour, who was arrested Friday at the home of his pregnant girlfriend.

Following his arrest, Balfour’s status was downgraded from “suspect” to “person of interest.” He was never charged in the case.

In an emotional plea Saturday for the safe return of her son, Julia Hudson seemed to suggest that someone other than her estranged husband may have abducted the child.

Balfour remained in custody Sunday, but Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond said he would be transferred to the Illinois Department of Corrections “based on his active parole violation unrelated to this investigation.”

This move by the Chicago police signifies that the police did not have confidence or sufficient evidence to charge Balfour in the case.

Another troubling aspect is that two cars were reported missing from the crime scene. Police found a green Chrysler Concorde about a mile from the murder scene on Friday night. The car had been listed in the Amber Alert issued for King and Balfour.

The search is still on for Julian King and a 1994 white Chevrolet Suburban belonging to Jason Hudson. The FBI has joined in the search.

On Saturday, Jennifer Hudson took to her Myspace blog to make a personal plea for the public’s help in finding her nephew.

She also posted two pictures of the boy in the shirt he was wearing when he was last seen.