A toddler reportedly taken from her mother's apartment in Michigan by an ex-boyfriend is dead. Wynter Cole Smith, 2, was the subject of a massive search after Rashad Trice allegedly attacked Wynter's mother, Symari Cole, 22, and took off with the child in the mother's car on July 2.
Police enacted an Amber Alert, and an extensive search for the child began. Authorities believe Trice had ties to Detroit and actively canvassed the state looking for the missing girl. The alleged abductor was found alone early Monday. Tragically, investigators found Wynter's body Wednesday near Coleman A. Young International Airport in Detroit.
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Trice allegedly stabbed the young mother multiple times.
WDIV reported that Cole was at her home in Lansing with Wynter and her 1-year-old brother when Trice showed up and an altercation ensued. Trice allegedly attacked Cole and stabbed her multiple times. He reportedly threatened to hurt Wynter, the news outlet reported. The young mother went for help, and when she returned, Trice and her daughter were gone. When police arrived, they found the injured mother and her son, who was not harmed.
Sharen Eddings, Wynter's grandmother, posted on Facebook that Trice was the baby boy's father.
Police captured Trice early Monday morning.
Officers saw Trice traveling in the stolen car, a 2013 white Chevrolet Impala, about 4:45 a.m. Monday on 9 Mile Road and Harper Avenue in Detroit and tried to pull him over, WDIV reported. He took off and later crashed into a St. Clair Shores patrol car near Little Mack Avenue and 10 Mile Road. He resisted arrest but was finally taken into custody and to a hospital to treat injuries he received in the crash.
Police said Wynter was not in the car at the time of the accident and Trice was not cooperating with the investigation.
The search continued for Wynter.
The Dock Ellis Foundation helped organize a massive search for the missing child. Sadly, police confirmed Wednesday that Wynter's body was found. Authorities did not give a cause of death, stating the investigation is ongoing.
"This investigation has moved from a missing child case to a homicide investigation," Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee said during a news conference. "Right now our hearts are with the family of Wynter Cole-Smith."
The Dock Ellis Foundation echoed the sentiment in a Facebook post.
"We are saddened by the recent discovery of baby Wynter Smith. We are wishing the family and the State of Michigan courage and peace during this time of mourning. We know that there is nothing we can say that will take away the pain and devastation that our communities feel right now, but please know that you are not grieving alone," the statement reads.
Police are asking for the public's help.
Because the case spanned several jurisdictions, Sobee asked for help from anyone who may have seen Trice or the stolen vehicle on Monday. Investigators are particularly interested in the hours between 11:15 p.m. Sunday and 1 a.m. Monday, People reported.
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Trice faces multiple felonies.
Police charged Trice with assault with intent to murder, first-degree home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated domestic violence, second offense, unlawful driving away of an automobile, felonious assault, and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual assault, according to WILX.
Trice was charged as a violent habitual fourth offender and is being held without bond, per the news outlet. He will be in court for a pretrial probable cause conference on July 13 and a preliminary hearing on July 20.
