The remains of a missing Michigan toddler were discovered Wednesday evening in Detroit, days after a suspect in her case was arrested on other charges.
Wynter Cole-Smith, 2, was initially reported missing on Sunday from Lansing, Michigan, according to NBC News. Her mother fled her apartment to call authorities and get help after allegedly being physically assaulted by her ex-boyfriend. When she returned, Wynter was missing, the FBI reported.
Wynter’s remains were uncovered by a federal search team near Coleman A. Young International Airport, local law enforcement told reporters. A vigil will be held for her on Thursday evening, according to WXYZ-TV.
We are heartbroken to learn the very sad news about 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith. Late yesterday, investigators announced that her body was found in Detroit, nearly 100 miles away from her home in Lansing, Michigan.
For the last few days, we all held out hope that Wynter would… pic.twitter.com/NDqy9InMa5
— National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (@MissingKids) July 6, 2023
The mother, who has not been identified, suffered from multiple stab wounds and has yet to be released from the hospital, NBC continued. The ex-boyfriend was identified as Rashad Maleek Trice, 26, who was accused of stealing a white Chevrolet Impala, which he subsequently crashed some 90 miles away from the scene.
He was taken into custody following the crash and was still being guarded at the hospital as of Tuesday, local law enforcement noted. He was later arrested and held without bond. (RELATED: Authorities Charge Ex-Husband, Relatives With Murder After Police Say They Found Dismembered Model’s Body)
He was charged with assault with intent to murder, first-degree home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated domestic violence second offense, unlawful driving away of an automobile, felonious assault, and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual assault, NBC noted.