What Happened
The search for J’Asiah Mitchell, a two-year-old reported kidnapped in DeKalb County, has allegedly come to a tragic end with a body being found at an East Point garbage facility.
According to an 11 Alive article, police said a child’s body was found at East Point Transfer Station on Wednesday, Aug. 23.
Investigators believe there is a “high probability” that the identity of the body will be Mitchell based on the circumstances of the case.
The Context
Mitchell was reported missing by his father, Artavious North, 23, claiming the child was kidnapped during an armed robbery at the Flat Shoals Road apartment complex.
FOX 5 reported that investigators believe that the body was outside for several days and are now waiting for identification from a forensic pathologist.
East Point Police said “digital information” is what led them to the child’s body.
East Point Police Chief Shawn Buchanan told FOX 5 that it’s the same landfill where garbage handlers at Mitchell’s father’s apartment complex regularly trashed their solid waste pickups.
Buchanan also said they would consider charging North if DNA samples confirmed the body as the toddler’s.
WSB-TV earlier reported that the search was expanded to a landfill in Spaulding County.
The above article also explained that Mitchell’s father, North, was arrested and charged with making a false statement.
The Latest
According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, investigators will meet with prosecutors to discuss potential charges for North, as there are no other suspects at this time.
North is behind bars in the DeKalb County jail in Decatur without bond according to DeKalb County records.
To Help Out
If you would like to donate, Mitchell’s family launched a GoFundMe to help search for the child; it is now being used to prepare for his “homegoing” according to fundraiser organizer Asia Mitchell.
As of Friday, Aug. 25, the family has only $7,573 out of their $18,000 goal.
