Global Courant
The body of a missing Michigan toddler was found Wednesday night in Detroit, Lansing police said, days after a man suspected of her disappearance was arrested on other charges.
Wynter Cole-Smith, 2, who was reported missing in Lansing on Sunday, was found by a federal search team near Coleman A. Young International Airport around 6:50 p.m., Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee said.
“This investigation has evolved from a missing child to a murder investigation,” Sosebee said at a brief press conference.
“At this time, our hearts are with Wynter Cole-Smith’s family,” he said.
Wynter was reported missing at 11:30 p.m. Sunday after her mother was physically assaulted by an ex-boyfriend in her apartment. according to the FBI. The woman fled the apartment to get help and call authorities, but Wynter went missing when officers arrived at the apartment.
Wynter’s mother, who was not identified, suffered multiple stab wounds and has since been released from the hospital, Lansing police said.
Wynter’s brother, who was also in the apartment, was unharmed, the FBI said.
Wynter Cole-Smith.FBI
The ex-boyfriend, Rashad Maleek Trice, is accused of stealing a white 2013 Chevrolet Impala and crashing it 90 miles away.
He was taken into custody after the crash and was being guarded by officers at a hospital, Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee said at Tuesday’s news conference.
Trice, 26, has been charged with assault with intent to murder, first-degree home burglary, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated domestic violence second offense, unlawful driving away from a car, felonious assault and two counts of first-degree criminal assault.
He will be held without bail after an arraignment on Wednesday, according to the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office. The court records were not immediately available to Trice and it is unclear if he engaged an attorney.
Trice is not Wynter’s biological father, Detroit-based NBC affiliate WDIV reported, citing authorities.
Sharen Eddings, Wynter’s grandmother, told the station she had heard that Wynter’s mother fought back.
“When he stabbed her, from what I understand from her sister, she was able to stab him back, yes, wound him back,” Eddings said. “Then he grabbed Wynter and threatened to harm her, and then he left.”
Eddings previously said she hoped her granddaughter would be found safe.
“I experienced something I’ve never felt before,” said Eddings. “I’ve lost people. I grew up in Detroit. I’ve seen some things, but I’ve never had a child in danger. And so that was, I can’t even explain it. My bones were shaking.”
