Indianapolis News and HeadlinesState News

Actions

'He has a name': Washington County holds memorial service for unidentified boy

washington county boy headstone.PNG
Posted at 1:15 PM, May 31, 2022
and last updated 2022-06-01 20:06:33-04

SALEM — "We never knew him in life, but he has drawn us together."

As investigators work to learn the name of a young boy found dead last month, the community is continuing to remember him.

The boy's life was honored at a memorial service on Wednesday at Weather's Funeral Home in Salem.

"He has a name," two women who attended the service told ABC affiliate WHAS.

washington county unidentified boy.PNG

"Look at what Angel has done to our community," Washington County Sheriff's Department Sergeant Matt Hein said. "We never knew him in life, but he has drawn us together with love and kindness."

You can watch the service below:

Last week, Indiana State Police revealed he died from an electrolyte imbalance and gastroenteritis.

The autopsy lists the child's age as unknown, but investigators believe the child is about 5 years old, based on the report. He's described as Black, about 4 feet tall, with a slender build and short hair.

PREVIOUS | Washington Co. vigil honors boy found dead in suitcase

Indiana State Police say the boy was found in a suitcase in a wooded area of New Pekin around the 7000 block of East Holder Rd. on April 16. A photo of the suitcase provided by Indiana State Police shows it had a distinctive Las Vegas design on its front and back.

Boy's body found in suitcase
Police say the body of a boy was found inside this suitcase Saturday, April 16 in the 7000 block of East Holder Road in Washington County.

ISP says they're not ruling out that the boy is from out of the country.

A national tip line has been established. Police say they have received nearly hundreds of calls from the public, but none have led to the identification of the boy.

"Investigators are thankful for all the tips that are coming in but ask that the public does not send information on children already documented as missing at this time. Investigators say those cases are already being looked into," ISP said.

Tips can be submitted to 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.