Police in Detroit confirmed they located the body of 2-year-old Wynter Cole Smith Wednesday on the city’s east side, bringing a tragic end to a days-long search for the missing child.
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The Two-Year-Old’s Father Speaks Out Alongside Police
The child’s father, Almount Smith, has spoken out, per the Detroit Free Press.
“…no good news… She was found.”
Additionally, Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee has shared that authorities’ “hearts are with the family of Wynter Cole Smith.”
“Our hearts are with the family of Wynter Cole Smith. We saw a tremendous amount of support for this family… I promise that the family will get the justice they deserve.”
Wynter went missing Sunday (Jul. 2) after her mother’s ex-boyfriend, Rashad Trice, 26, stabbed her mom earlier that evening, the outlet reports. Trice has remained in police custody since being arrested early Monday.
The child’s mother suffered non-life-threatening injuries and has already been discharged from the hospital.
Authorities Joined By Volunteers In Search For Wynter, Police Say It’s Now A Homicide Investigation
Meanwhile, authorities were joined by dozens of volunteers as they combed through wooded areas and roadway shoulders along the Interstate 496 overpass near the Red Cedar River, as well as U.S. 127, on Wednesday, per the Lansing State Journal.
Wynter’s body was discovered around 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, according to authorities.
“At approximately 6:50 p.m. this evening, the body of Wynter Cole Smith was recovered by FBI agents, this is not the outcome that we were hoping for,” Sosebee said during an appearance at Lansing City Hall as per Fox 2 Detroit.
Additionally, Sosebee explained the investigation had become a homicide case after discovering Wynter’s body.
However, authorities have not charged Trice with Wynter’s murder as of Thursday. They initially arrested him on charges of criminal sexual conduct, home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, and domestic violence, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Tragic Update: on Monday Michigan residents received an Amber Alert around 2:30 AM when repeat offender Rashad Trice violently beat his ex girlfriend and kidnapped her two year old daughter Wynter Smith from her Lansing apartment.
Trice was caught and apprehended but the girl… pic.twitter.com/zCGn8LjxjS
— 🇺🇸Travis🇺🇸 (@Travis_in_Flint) July 6, 2023
Murder Charges Pending Against Wynter’s Mother’s Ex-Boyfriend
Meanwhile, Sosebee added that local police are coordinating with prosecutors to prepare the potential murder charges against Trice.
Authorities say Trice left with the child from her Lansing home after reportedly stabbing the toddler’s mother on Sunday.
Police issued an Amber Alert after he reportedly fled to nearby Detroit with Wynter, according to the Detroit Free Press. Law enforcement eventually arrested Trice in St. Clair Shores. However, the child was not with him at the time of his arrest.
This is a developing story. Be sure to check back in with The Shade Room for more updates as they come.
