Police in Ohio believe they have found the body of a 5-year-old boy who was taken by his foster mother earlier this week.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine R. Bryant said in a news conference that the body was found in a Franklin County sewer drain just after 1 a.m. Friday.
“This is a tragic development and we certainly would have hoped for a different outcome,” Bryant said.
Police say Darnell Taylor's adoptive father called police on Wednesday and told police that his wife, Pammy Mae, woke him up and “made comments that made it seem like Darnell Taylor was hurt.” As a result of the report, an Amber Alert was issued. News.
The man said in a 911 call played during Thursday's news conference that Darnell went missing from her bedroom. The man said his wife got into the car and left.
Authorities have implored May, 48, to let her know her child is safe and said the two may have been traveling in a Jeep. The vehicle was found hours after a 911 call in the Brooklyn suburb of Cleveland.
Bryant said Brooklyn police officers were dispatched Thursday around 9:38 p.m. after someone reported seeing a “female walking suspiciously around the building.” Responding officers identified the woman as May and contacted Columbus police.
May was taken into custody and provided information to police indicating that “Mr. Darnell's body may be in the sewer,” Chief Bryant said.
May is being treated at a local hospital and plans to return to Franklin County.
Police charged May with third-degree child endangerment and first-degree kidnapping. Bryant said Friday that her murder charge will be added.
Police said Darnell had been in the family's care since May. Authorities are in contact with his biological family. Darnell's biological grandfather declined an interview with NBC News.
