Photo: Sarahbeth Maney ~ USA Today Network
July 6, 2023 ~ A child kidnapping case that lead to a massive three-day search has now turned into a homicide case.
The body of 2-year-old Lansing resident Wynter Cole Smith was found by the FBI shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday evening in Detroit near the Coleman A. Young International Airport. This comes days after she was kidnapped from her Lansing home, about 90 miles away from where she was discovered, with the alleged perpetrator already arrested on other charges.
Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee spoke Wednesday evening at a brief press conference, confirming the case has shifted to a homicide investigation.
“This is not the outcome anyone had hoped for,” Sosebee said at the press conference. “I promise law enforcement will see that the family gets the justice they so deserve.“
PODCAST:
July 6, 2023 ~ 760 WJR Senior News Analyst Lloyd Jackson talks to Tom Jordan about the search for 2-year-old Wynter Smith coming to a tragic end on Wednesday night in Detroit. Photo: Sarahbeth Maney ~ USA Today Network
(CONTINUED) Wynter was reported missing late Sunday evening on July 2 after her mother, who has not been identified, was sexually and physically assaulted in her home by her ex-boyfriend, according to the FBI. The ex-boyfriend, Rashad Trice, then allegedly kidnapped Wynter after her mother escaped to a neighbor’s house with stab wounds to call 911.
Police said Trice drove off in his ex’s car, which he later crashed Monday into a St. Clair Shores patrol car. The search for Wynter continued however when authorities discovered she was not with Trice.
Trice, 26, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of assault with intent to murder, two counts of first-degree criminal sexual assault, a second offense aggravated domestic violence, first-degree home invasion, felonious assault, unlawful imprisonment, and unlawful driving away of an automobile. Trice is being held without bond, and additional charges related to Wynter could come his way, depending on the results of the investigation.
CBS News Detroit spoke to Wynter’s father Almount “AJ” Smith during the search for Wynter, having traveled to Michigan from Tennessee where he attends school. He described Wynter as a “kind, trusting, and expressive” child. He added that her mother has been released from the hospital.
A vigil to honor Wynter organized by the groups Thousand Strong and Live in Peace is expected take place at 7 p.m. Thursday near the site where she was found on Erwin Street in Detroit.
760 WJR TOP NEWS STORIES:
