Chicago Police collect DNA to try to ID dismembered toddler

LagoonCPD092315.jpg

Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy holds a sketch of a toddler whose dismembered remains were found in the city’s Garfield Park lagoon earlier this month. | Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

CHICAGO — Chicago police trying to identify a dismembered toddler found in the Garfield Park lagoon earlier this month have collected DNA from the relatives of children who have gone missing.

Lagoonboy092315.jpg

A sketch of a toddler whose remains were found in the Garfield Park Lagoon. | Chicago Police Department via AP

Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Tuesday that investigators are “cautiously optimistic” that the DNA from relatives of missing children will help them identify the remains.

Guglielmi said detectives went to Rockford over the weekend to collect DNA from the mother of a boy who recently went missing there.

They’ve also submitted the DNA to national databases.

Earlier this month, the head, hands and feet of an African-American child between the ages of 2 and 4 were found in the lagoon at Garfield Park on the city’s West Side.

The Latest
Martez Cristler and Nicholas Virgil were charged with murder and aggravated arson, Chicago police said. Anthony Moore was charged with fraud and forgery in connection with the fatal West Pullman house fire that killed Pelt.
Deputy Sean Grayson has been fired and charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Massey, who had called 911 to report a possible prowler. He has pleaded not guilty. The family says the Department of Justice is investigating.
Here’s how Kamala Harris and the Democratic National Convention are embracing Charli XCX’s social media post that sparked a cultural movement.
Thousands gathered in Union Park for the Pitchfork Music Festival, the Chicago Bears started training camp at Halas Hall, and Vice President Kamala Harris kicked off her presidential campaign.
Williams got in defensive end DeMarcus Walker’s face as he went after tight end Gerald Everett on Friday.