'Someone out there is missing this little boy': Edmonton police ask for help identifying deceased toddler
UPDATE: Police are looking for two "people of interest" regarding the toddler found dead on Friday. Find that story here.
Edmonton police hope the public might recognize the little blue snowsuit, Batman onesie and high-top shoes worn by a toddler found dead in north Edmonton on Friday.
As homicide detectives investigate the little boy's death, his identity remains unknown. Police believe the boy is around 20 months old, and say their immediate priority is to identify him.
The toddler was found by a passerby near the Good Shepherd Anglican Church at around 2:30 p.m. Friday, police said.
Several Edmonton Police Service vehicles had the area cordoned off Friday afternoon. By Friday evening, the EPS forensics unit was at the scene and police had a tent over the body.
On Friday night, police released images of the child's shoes and clothing with the hope that someone might recognize them and contact police.
"Someone out there is missing this little boy and we need assistance, not only to identify him, but to find his family and the people around him that will help us put together the events that led to this," Staff Sgt. Duane Hunter said Friday, standing behind a table displaying the boy's belongings.
"Ultimately, identifying the toddler will help us figure out the circumstances as to what led to his unfortunate death."
Police held up a small, light blue snowsuit with white fur trim. The front of the snowsuit says "U.S. Polo Assn." and the back says "USPA U.S. Polo Assn." in blue lettering.
A blue Batman onesie with white and black sleeves was also found with the boy. The front of the onesie has a Batman logo and the words "Bam! Pow!" in black lettering. A black Batman mask is on the back of the outfit.
Police also displayed the boy's high-top shoes. The shoes are black with lime green laces, grey velcro, and a blue stripe on each side. The shoes have white soles.
Enid Stables, who lives in the neighbourhood, said it's relatively quiet.
With children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was shaken by the news of the little boy's death.
"It's awful. It's terrible. It's horrible. I can't think of words bad enough to describe it. It's just not right," said Stables, who was walking near Good Shepherd on Saturday.
A memorial for the boy has begun to take shape on the north side of church, near where the tent had been put over the body.
It started with a bouquet of tulips, but has since grown to include more flowers and a teddy bear.
Carol Jeffrey and James Glass brought their two-year-old grandson with them to lay the teddy bear.
"I just think that no child should ever be left unloved and I think that's our gesture, that this child has people who love shim even though we didn't know him. It's just so important knowing a child has that love, even if it is from strangers."
Not knowing what happened makes the incident more frightening for Jeffrey and her family.
"There's somebody out there who knows, there is," Jeffrey said. "It would be nice if somebody would come forward and let them know who he is."
Anyone who recognizes the clothing or who has information about the death or identity of the child is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.
