Michigan: Missing Girl Found Dead in Detroit

The body of the missing Michigan girl, Wynter Smith, was discovered Wednesday evening in Detroit, according to the Lansing Police Chief, Ellery Sosebee, Yahoo! News noted.

The federal search team found the body near Coleman A. Young International Airport around 6:50 pm.

Consequently, the investigation has shifted from a missing child case to a homicide investigation, as announced by Chief Sosebee during a brief news conference.

Chief Sosebee expressed condolences to the Wynter Smith family, acknowledging the situation's heartbreaking nature.

The young girl had been reported missing on Sunday at 11:30 pm, following a physical assault on her mother by an ex-boyfriend in their apartment, as detailed by the FBI.

The mother, seeking help and contacting the authorities, discovered that Smith was missing when the officers arrived.

Symari Cole, Wynter Smith's mother, sustained multiple stab wounds during the incident and has been discharged from the hospital, as confirmed by the Lansing Police Department.

Fortunately, Smith's brother, who was present in the apartment at the time, did not suffer any injuries, as reported by the FBI.

Missing Michigan Girl's Kidnapper Arrested, Faces Several Charges

Rashad Maleek Trice, a 26-year-old resident of Detroit, has been charged with multiple offenses, including fleeing police, assaulting his 22-year-old ex-girlfriend, and kidnapping her 2-year-old daughter, Wynter Smith, according to Click on Detroit.

The events unfolded on Sunday, July 2, in Ingham County, when Trice allegedly took off in his ex-girlfriend's Chevrolet Impala.

Promptly after that, an AMBER Alert was issued. The following morning, around 5 am, St. Clair Shores police tried to stop Trice's vehicle. Still, he evaded them at high speed, colliding with a police vehicle that rendered his car inoperable.

Law enforcement officials reported that during the arrest, Trice resisted and made a grab for an officer's firearm. Eventually, authorities arrested him, although the 2-year-old child was not found in his custody.

Trice now faces a slew of charges, including third-degree fleeing and eluding, attempted disarming of an officer, receiving and concealing a motor vehicle, assault with a dangerous weapon, resisting and obstructing, causing injury, as well as three counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer.

Furthermore, Trice has been accused of assault with intent to murder, first-degree home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated domestic violence (second offense), unlawful driving away of an automobile, felonious assault, and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual assault.

Following an arraignment on Wednesday, he is being held without bond, as confirmed by the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office.

Meanwhile, no information regarding Trice's legal representation is available, as court records were not immediately accessible.

Community Came Together to Honor Wynter Smith

In a touching display of unity and remembrance, the community gathered Thursday evening to pay tribute to the memory of 2-year-old Wynter Smith, the missing Michigan girl, per WXYZ Detroit.

Amidst tears and sorrow, Smith's grandfather, Almont Smith Sr., bravely joined the large crowd to denounce violence and offer prayers, grappling with the immense loss that has occurred to their family.

In a heartfelt interview, Smith Sr. expressed his profound outrage and heartbreak, emphasizing that not only was his beloved grandchild taken away, but also her promising future and dreams.

Overwhelmed with grief, he urged an end to the senseless violence claiming innocent children's lives and causing immense suffering.

The vigil, organized by Pastor Maurice Hardwick, served as a poignant prelude to a larger event planned with the family on Friday. Hardwick expressed the purpose of coming together to organize, pray, and honor the memory of baby Wynter, highlighting the need to show respect for her precious life.

During the gathering, the crowd unified in their chants of "Whose baby? Our baby!" as a testament to their shared responsibility and love for the young victim. The police, in solidarity, affirmed that "Wynter is one of our kids," underscoring their commitment to seeking justice.

Both law enforcement authorities and prosecutors have pledged to hold the perpetrator accountable and pursue additional charges.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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