Philadelphia police officials confirmed that King Hill, the two-year-old boy who was reported missing earlier this month is presumed dead.
Monday morning, District Attorney Larry Krasner announced in a press conference murder charges against Tianna Parks, 24. Authorities say their investigation yielded cell phone and video evidence that led to the conclusion that the boy is dead.
King’s babysitter, Tianna Parks was arraigned Monday on a number of charges including murder, endangering the welfare of children, abuse of corpse, false reports to law enforcement, and related charges. She was not granted bail.
King Hill had been missing since July 7. Police say his body has not been recovered as of Monday morning. According to Captain Jason Smith last time Hill was seen alive was on July 4th and 5th. Police also said that King Hill was deceased before police were even notified that he was missing.
Investigators say there is no reason to believe anyone else is involved in King’s death, including his mother & stepfather.
“The death of King Hill is an unbearable tragedy that is compounded by Tiana Parks’ actions. This precious baby’s family and community deserve to know how he died. They deserve the opportunity to bury and mourn him with dignity,” Krasner said in a statement Monday. “This child deserved so much better in life. My office will continue to work alongside the Philadelphia Police and FBI to seek justice for his death.”
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw also expressed her sorrow at the sad news “Every sense of loss of life is tragic, but the loss of our most innocent and vulnerable is especially devastating. And the circumstances surrounding the loss of King Hill has left the entire community shaken”.
You can read: Police find contradictory statements about King Hill, the missing toddler
He was reported missing after his mother said he went to spend time with the father of her older daughter weeks ago which she says was routine. However, the mom says last week he asked if she picked up King from Parks’ home on the corner of 33rd and Diamond Streets.
Virtually everything was false
The mother says she did not pick him up. Police say Parks claimed she did.
Parks, who is a friend of the stepfather’s, previously told police she handed off the child to his biological mother at the corner of 31st and Montgomery Streets. King’s mother claimed that she has not seen the Parks in “several weeks.”
Police say “virtually everything,” Parks told them during interviews proved to be false.
“Virtually everything that she told us was refuted by the evidence that the FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department developed,” said Anthony Voci, Chief of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Homicide Unit.
Investigators say the time, location, and manner of King’s death remains unknown. They were emphatic with the fact that this is an active investigation.
Noticias Newswire
