A three-year-old boy was discovered deceased in the snow in Maine over the weekend, shortly after he was reported missing. The Maine State Police are currently investigating the tragic death of the toddler, who was found on Exeter Road in the town of Corinna on Sunday, January 12, as confirmed by a police spokesperson to PEOPLE magazine.
According to reports, a family member, who identified the child as her nephew, contacted 911 at approximately 8:30 a.m. local time that day to report the boy missing. Subsequently, the boy’s father located him outside in the snow, some distance away from the family’s residence. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the scene, but unfortunately, the child, whose identity has been withheld, succumbed to his injuries, which appeared to be indicative of exposure to the elements, as per the Maine State Police.
The circumstances surrounding the boy’s passing remain under investigation by the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta is set to determine the cause and manner of death following an autopsy. Assisting in the investigation were the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Health and Human Services, as stated by the state police.
Authorities have indicated that they consider the toddler’s death to be an isolated incident. A representative from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services conveyed to NBC affiliate WCSH that the loss of a child is both devastating and tragic, extending condolences to the grieving family and all affected by the heartbreaking event.
Following the child’s passing, a social media post, reportedly from the child’s mother, was cited by CBS affiliate WABI. The post detailed the mother’s discovery that her child was missing on January 12, with the door having been kicked open previously by a family member and secured with a bolt. Additionally, it was shared that due to the profound impact of the child’s death, the father had been hospitalized and was struggling immensely.
On January 18, a spokesperson for the Maine State Police informed PEOPLE that they would not comment on the social media post due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Furthermore, reports from WABI and local outlet WMTW mentioned the establishment of a GoFundMe campaign for the family to assist with expenses related to the child’s memorial, cremation, and any outstanding medical bills. Descriptions on the fundraising page portrayed the child as a loving, caring, and happy little boy, emphasizing the sudden and unexpected nature of his loss for the family, including his two sisters.
In a related incident, an 18-year-old boy was found deceased next to a partially submerged car at a sewage plant, leading to the arrest of two individuals, as reported by authorities. The circumstances of this separate case were not elaborated upon in the provided text.
