A toddler who went missing has been found dead just three days after her mother’s ex-boyfriend stabbed the mother during a sexual assault and home invasion incident, authorities say.
Wynter Cole Smith, 2, was initially kidnapped by the suspect, Rashad Price, 26, after he stole his ex’s vehicle. The girl was later found in a Detroit alley.
The next morning, police found Price and was involved in a high-speed chase with police until he crashed 90 miles away from where he was initially found, according to the FBI.
Although he was captured, they could not find the toddler, leading authorities to launch a multi-agency search throughout Michigan.
“This investigation has moved from a missing child case to a homicide investigation,” Lansing police Chief Ellery Sosebee said at a news conference Wednesday night. “This is not the outcome anyone had hoped for.”
Law enforcement personnel searched for Smith for 72 hours using divers, dogs, drones and helicopters until she was found in an alley.
“I promise law enforcement will see the family gets the justice that they so deserve,” he said.
Trice is charged with eight felonies including two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and assault with an attempted murder. He is currently behind bars being held without bail.
“These charges arise from the brutal physical and sexual assault that took place at an apartment on Beaujardin Drive on July 2,” Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor’s office said in a statement that they are “devastated by the tragic news that Wynter Cole Smith was found deceased. Our hearts are with Wynter’s family as they begin to process and grieve the unnecessary loss of a beautiful two-year old child.”
Wynter’s family also released a statement obtained by the Associated Press, which stated that they are “heartbroken over the loss of our beautiful daughter, granddaughter, cousin, niece and big sister.”
“Wynter’s brief but bright life was taken from her unnecessarily, and we will grieve her death forever,” they concluded.
