EAST POINT, Ga. — The body of a child was discovered Wednesday, according to East Point Police.
This comes one week after a 2-year-old in DeKalb County was reported missing, eventually leading to a search by police in East Point.
Police said a toddler's body was found around 1:30 p.m. at the East Point Transfer Station along R.N. Martin Street.
"We have not confirmed the identity of the child J'Asiah Mitchell; however, there is high probability based on the circumstances surrounding this case," investigators said in a statement.
They added, "we are looking at the father as a possible suspect because he was the person last seen with the child."
Police said on Wednesday that the father's stories are not adding up and are looking to charge him in the toddler's disappearance.
"He has not been cooperative. He has been very elusive in his stories and very deceiving," said East Point Police Chief Shawn Buchanan.
East Point Police are still investigating J'Asiah's disappearance. Authorities said that "digital information" led them to search the transfer station where they found the body of a child.
In any case, the development marks the latest dramatic turn since J'Asiah was first reported missing last Wednesday night, setting off search efforts.
Police added that the case has been difficult for all investigators involved.
"It's actually devastating. A lot of detectives are having a difficult time. When you are dealing with a case where you are hoping the child is alive, you are hoping for something positive to come out and it doesn't, it's just hard on everyone here," Chief Buchanan said.
Below is the full timeline as the case has unfolded in the last week.
Full timeline
- Wednesday night, August 16:
J'Asiah is first reported missing by his father, Artavious North, who claimed the child was kidnapped during an armed robbery.
- Thursday morning, August 17:
DeKalb County Police send out a kidnapping alert, asking for the for the public's help. Later in the day, police mention that they requested an Amber Alert from the GBI but claim the disappearance did not meet the criteria.
Specifically, GBI said it was “lacking enough descriptive information about the abductor/vehicle. Agents did assist with getting the media advisory out." The initial media advisory just listed a "Black Sedan."
- Thursday afternoon, August 17:
DeKalb County Police released an update stating that the kidnapping can no longer be verified. Shortly after, the family posts about heading to the Lakeview Apartments in East Point to search. They are joined by East Point Police, DeKalb Police and game wardens, searching buildings and surrounding woods.
- Thursday night, August 17:
DeKalb County Jail records show the child's father was booked and charged with false statements and false report of a crime.
Police later provide an update, saying J'Asiah's father was arrested after making false reports to police that he was robbed at gunpoint and the toddler was kidnapped. Police said that was all made up.
Bags of evidence were taken from the East Point complex Thursday night. It's not clear, though, how any of that evidence might fit into the case.
- Friday, August 18:
East Point Police now take over the investigation. Crews begin searching a Griffin landfill as well as a lake by the apartment complex from the day before. The father had been staying there, according to the child's mother. Officers note that these are not necessarily leads but rather they are "trying everything and checking off boxes."
- Saturday, August 19:
Artavious North has a magistrate court appearance where he is denied bond.
- Monday, August 21:
East Point Police confirm that North is the only person of interest in the case. They also confirm that nothing was found in the lake after taking multiple days to drain it. Officers said they are working with other agencies, as well as interviewing new people and those previously interviewed.