Memphis Police Chief Issues Urgent Plea After Remains of Three Children Are Found

The chief of a Tennessee police department spoke at a press conference amid an ongoing investigation into the discovery of the remains of three children. The three victims have not yet been identified, and authorities have asked anyone with information to come forward.

Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis appealed to the public during an April 22 press conference, urging people to come forward with any information related to the discovery of the remains of three children.

“Someone knows where these children have come from; someone knows of missing children that we have discovered in this area,” Davis said during the press conference.

“We are following the evidence where it leads, and are continuing to work closely with our partners throughout this entire process,” Davis said. “We understand that this information is very difficult and deeply concerning for all of us. We want to reassure the public that there is no indication of any active threat at this time, and we are taking a careful and methodical approach to ensure this investigation is handled thoroughly and respectfully.”

In a press release shared April 23, the Memphis Police Department said the unidentified individuals are believed to be between ages 3 and 7.

A report of a suspicious person in the 3400 block of Ridge Meadow Parkway on March 8 prompted the Memphis Police Department investigation. The investigation began after a caller reported finding a human skull near a wooded area.

The responding officers arrived at the scene and did find what appeared to be a human skull. Because it was late, teams returned the following day to investigate with better visibility. K-9 cadaver dogs also alerted officials to a drainage pipe, “indicating the possible presence of additional human remains,” Davis said.

On March 16th, the drainage system was inspected using cameras to view the pipe’s interior. Another skull was found on April 1st. In the following days, the search “resulted in the recovery of 14 additional bones consistent with human remains,” Davis said.

“What you are seeing today is a continuation of all those efforts,” the police chief said during the press conference.

Approximately 170 people assisted the Memphis Police Department, including personnel from the Shelby County Medical Examiner’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, federal partners and the Memphis Fire Department, according to the press release.

It is currently unknown how long the children had been in the wooded area, but Chief Davis revealed in the press conference that authorities believe that they have been at the Ridge Meadow Parkway for a few years.”

The search continues in the area where the remains were found, as well as in nearby locations. Authorities have asked anyone with information to come forward.