On Wednesday, a federal search team discovered Wynter Cole-Smith’s body.
After she was reported missing, the body of a missing 2-year-old Michigan girl was discovered on Wednesday.
Wynter Cole-Smith, who had been missing from the Lansing region since July 2, was found in Detroit by a federal search team at around 6:50 p.m., close to the Coleman A. Young International Airport, according to Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee.
According to Sosebee, “this investigation has changed from a missing child case to a homicide investigation.” This is not the result that everyone had anticipated. I swear that the police will make sure the family receives the justice they so richly deserve.
Ingham County Prosecutor John J. Dewane remarked, “Our hearts are with Wynter’s family as they start to process and grieve the needless loss of a beautiful 2-year-old child.” Our office supports the work of our law enforcement partners at the state and federal levels to hold people accountable for their acts as this investigation shifts from a missing person investigation to a homicide investigation.
According to reports from ClickOnDetroit, the Lansing State Journal, and the Detroit Free Press, Rashad Trice, 26, who is accused of stabbing Wynter’s 22-year-old mother, allegedly kidnapped the girl from her house on July 2. Wynter was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with rainbows.
Wynter, Trice, and the mother’s 2013 white Chevrolet Impala were all gone when the mother ran away to a neighbor’s house to call the police. When police came, the mother’s 1-year-old son was still in the apartment and unharmed, according to the publications.
After reportedly fleeing, Trice was apprehended about five in the morning on July 3 in the Detroit region, according to St. Clair Shores police. Police said that Trice sped off, collided with another patrol car, and then resisted arrest when they arrived on the scene. Wynter, however, was not with him. Police published a map of Trice’s purported movements after he left the Lansing residence on July 2 the next day.
Trice has been charged in connection with the assault on Wynter’s mother with assault with intent to murder, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, first-degree home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated domestic violence, and felonious assault, according to a press release from the Ingham County prosecutor’s office.
According to the press statement, Trice was accused as a violent habitual fourth offender.
On July 13, Trice, who is being jailed without bond, is due in court to answer to the allegations. It’s unknown whether he has filed a plea or if a lawyer is speaking for him.
