Body of young boy found in wooded area of southern Indiana

WASHINGTON COUNTY — Indiana State Police are asking for the public's help to identify a young boy who was found dead in a wooded area in Washington County Saturday, April 16.

According to state police, a resident mushroom hunting around 7:30 p.m. in the eastern part of the county when they located the body of a child between the ages of five and eight years old near a roadway.

Troopers described the area as a very rural, heavily wooded area with not a lot of houses nearby.

Investigators have not been able to determine the identity of the young boy.

"Right now that's the #1 point of this investigation — to find out who this child is," ISP said Monday. "He deserves to be heard."

He's described as a young, Black male between the ages of five and eight years old.

"Somebody was taking care of him; he was in somebody's custody and care for his daily needs and for support," troopers said. "Somebody out there either knows and isn't saying something or just hasn't had the opportunity to see this in the media yet and they don't know that they need to call somebody ... we need your help."

The child is approximately four feet tall and has a slim build and a short haircut. Investigators believe the boy died sometime within the last week.

ISP provided an update on the case Monday.

The child's cause and time of death will be determined by the coroner. Once autopsy results come back, troopers say a more specific age could be available.

ISP says it's contacted schools and other local agencies to inquire about a child who didn't show up, but there haven't been any matches.

"This could obviously be a national thing; it could be a child from any location," ISP said. "Somebody out there knows the answer to this question."

A national tip line has been established: 1-888-437-6432. The post's 800 number only works within the State of Indiana.

You can also contact Detective Matt Busick with the Indiana State Police in Sellersburg at 1-812-248-4374 or 1-800-872-6743.