Nearly 10 years after baby’s skeleton found, reward offered for clues to her identity

Published 8:58 pm Thursday, November 11, 2021

A $5,000 reward is being offered for help identifying a child whose skeletal remains were found in Alabama in 2012.

Central Alabama Crime Stoppers announced the reward Thursday as investigators continue their search for the girl’s identity. Authorities have previously said the child showed signs of physical abuse and was likely the victim of a homicide.

The remains were found January 28, 2012, at a mobile home community in Opelika, al.com reported. Residents saw the skull, and authorities later determined the skeleton was that of a Black girl between the ages of 4 and 7 with medium length black hair.

The child was likely abused and malnourished, and the cause of death was ruled to be probable homicide. Investigators estimated the child died between 2010 and 2011 with a focus on the summer or fall of 2011.

Opelika police said the girl may have shown signs of physical abuse on her face and body and may have also appeared sickly with bad hygiene. Due to malnourishment, the girl’s teeth were underdeveloped and may have appeared small and out of place for her face.

Police said they did not believe the girl was from the Opelika area. Chemical isotope testing on her bones suggest she was born and raised in Alabama or one of the surrounding southern states and the investigation has revealed she possibly had ties to the Orlando, Florida area.

The FBI earlier announced a renewed effort to identify the girl. Anyone with information can call Opelika police at 334-705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665. Tipsters can also contact Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867).