New Jersey authorities confirmed on Friday that they found the remains of a toddler in a trash-filled alleyway in Camden.
CBS3 reports that Camden County prosecutors stated that someone walking down an alley on Thursday afternoon, off of the 800 block of Mount Ephraim Avenue, detected a foul smell and noticed human remains hidden in piles of trash. When authorities arrived, they determined the remains were of a young child between 19 to 36 months of age. The toddler’s remains measured around 36 inches.
The toddler was so badly decomposed that authorities were not able to determine the child’s race or gender. A forensic anthropologist is currently trying to determined the toddler’s identity, according to Camden Count Prosecutor’s Office Chief Detective Bill Townsend.
“The remains were of a possibly 1- to 2-year-old child, approximately 30 inches in length,” Townsend said. “The race and the gender are unable to be determined at this point.”
The alley, according to police, is a common area that pedestrians use as a shortcut. Abandoned houses line one side but security cameras are on the other side. Detectives are hoping the footage will provide clues into how the toddler ended up there.
As of Sunday, no suspects or persons of interest in the case have been identified.
“We are seeking the public’s help with identifying any family members, friends, neighbors that may have had a child in that age range they are not seeing anymore, may be a little suspicious,” Townsend said. “Asking them to contact us and help us out in possibly identifying this child.”
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Matthew Barber at (856) 225-5166 or Camden County Police Detective Sean Miller at (856) 757-7420.
The story is still developing. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.
[Feature Photo: Pixabay]
