Indiana: Dead Boy Zipped Into Suitcase; Police Ask Public’s Help to Identify the Child
The body of a boy found dead in the woods of southern Indiana this weekend was put inside a suitcase, police said Tuesday.
The Indiana State Police noted that the young boy's body was inside a closed hardshell suitcase painted with the "Welcome to Las Vegas Nevada" sign, Crime Online reported.
According to Louisville Courier-Journal, the body of a Black male child was found in a heavily wooded area in Washington County on Saturday. A resident hunting for mushrooms discovered the body in the 7000 block of East Holder Road in Washington County at around 7:30 p.m.
The boy was described as about 4 feet tall with a slim build and short haircut. Initially, authorities believed that the boy was between five and eight years old.
However, now they think that the victim is closer to five years old. USA Today reported that the authorities withheld details of his clothing.
Indiana Police Say Dead Boy Could Be From Other State
Indiana State Police Sgt. Carey Huls said there is a chance that the boy could be from another state.
"We thought this would be a local case but since nothing has happened - we haven't had any matches, so this obviously could be a national thing," Huls said in a press conference on Monday.
The Indiana State Police noted that an autopsy on the body was completed Tuesday, but a definitive cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
In a statement, the state police said the "results of the toxicology report are still pending, and investigators are hopeful that information will shed more light on the cause of death."
Police believe that the boy's death occurred sometime within the past week. Before the child's death, Huls said the boy was likely in someone's custody, and somebody was taking care of him, and he hoped that they would surface soon.
Indiana Police Seeks Public Help in Identifying the Dead Boy
The description of the boy reportedly did not match the description of any Indiana children that have been reported missing. The Indiana State Police is now seeking the public's help in identifying the dead boy that was inside the suitcase.
USA Today reported that a national tip line dedicated to this case had been established Monday. Anyone with information is asked to call this hotline number: 1-888-437-6432.
Authorities said around 200 calls from the public have already come in. However, none of those calls led to help in identifying the boy.
"Our No. 1 goal at this point is to find out the identity and name of this child. That's what he deserves," Huls noted.
The Indiana State Police urged the public not to send any information on missing children that had been previously reported to them. Authorities said investigators are already looking into these cases.
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Joshua Summers
WATCH: Indiana Boy Found Dead in Suitcase - From WTHR
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