DETROIT – The body of missing 2-year-old girl Wynter Cole Smith was found in a dirty alley nearly three days after she was kidnapped in Lansing.
Officers discovered the 2-year-old’s body Wednesday (July 5) at 6:50 pm in the alley behind a house on the east side of Detroit.
“At approximately 6:50 pm Wednesday night, the body of Wynter Cole Smith was recovered by FBI agents,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Devin Kowalski. “This is not the outcome we were hoping for. Our hearts go out to Wynter’s family.”
Wynter was found nearly three days after her kidnapping in Lansing Sunday (July 2) night, prompting an Amber Alert.
Officials said Wynter was kidnapped by her mother’s ex-boyfriend, Rashad Maleek Trice, 26, of Detroit, after he attacked her mother, stabbed her, and stole her car.
The evidence response team is currently processing the area where Wynter was found, but officials say they can’t release any additional information because they want to put their best foot forward and preserve integrity. in the investigation.
“This is a thorough and deliberate crime scene investigation,” Kowalski said. “It takes time to carefully collect the evidence we need to help bring the person responsible to justice.”
Lansing officials spoke about the discovery and how it wasn’t the outcome they were hoping for.
“Right now, our hearts go out to the family of Wynter Cole Smith,” Lansing police Chief Ellery Sosebee said. “We’ve seen a community show an endless amount of support and help in helping to find Wynter, and now we need that same amount of help and support for the family as they grieve. This is not the outcome that was expected by anyone, and I promise that law enforcement will see that the family gets the justice they deserve.
Trice was hospitalized after a confrontation with police on Monday (July 3) in the area of 9 Mile Road and Harper Avenue when officers tried to pull him over as he tried to elude police before crashing into the car of another officer.
The 26-year-old has not communicated with officials because he remains hospitalized, however he was arraigned for his crimes on Wednesday.
Officials say a data dump from his phone led to Wynter’s discovery. The data showed he spent more time in the area on the east side of town, prompting the search from I-94 to Van Dyke Avenue.
He was charged with assault with intent to murder, first-degree home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated domestic violence, unlawful driving of a motor vehicle, felonious assault, and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual assault.
In addition: Here’s what we know about body of 2-year-old girl found in Detroit days after Amber Alert
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