photo courtesy of PEOPLE
The Lansing Police Department confirmed the discovery of the missing 2-year-old girl, Wynter Cole Smith, on Wednesday, July 5.
Smith was reported missing earlier this week on Sunday after authorities were called to BeauJardin Drive in Lansing, Michigan. The police arrived on the scene around midnight to find a 22-year-old woman stabbed and assaulted. She described 26-year-old Rashad Maleek Trice, her ex-boyfriend, as the man who stabbed her and accused him of kidnapping Wynter as well.
Further Investigation suggested that Trice stole the assaulted woman’s car and took Wynter. Trice was arrested soon after the reported incident, and the two-year-old girl was not found with him.
After going missing on July 2, Detroit police officers discovered her body on the East side following a long search that included drones, helicopters, search parties and dogs, and a $25,000 put up by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Ingham County Prosecutor and state police involved with the search released heartbreaking statements, according to WILX 10.
The statements read, “We are devastated by the tragic news that Wynter Cole Smith was found deceased today. Our hearts are with Wynter’s family as they begin to process and grieve the unnecessary loss of a beautiful two-year-old child. As this investigation transitions from a missing person to a homicide investigation, our office supports the efforts of our law enforcement partners at the state and federal level to hold those responsible for Wynter’s death accountable for their actions.”
“It is easy to judge humanity on the actions of one evil person. I refuse to do so, as should you. We are better than the actions of one evil person. May God bless and keep you, Wynter. We wish your family peace. We are heartbroken.”
Trice is being held without bond for multiple felonies related to the assault and the subsequent kidnapping.