On May 17., 2022, around 1:30 in the afternoon, the OPP responded to a call about possible remains belonging to a female child.
The body was discovered by fisherman along the southern banks of the grand river in a marshy area, known to the locals as Grand Island in Dunnville Ontario.
Investigators are unsure how long the remains were in the river, but did determined that the child “had been in the water for a period of time”.
Police said they’ve examined international missing person databases, met with local schools and Children’s Aid Society, and opened a tip line, but have been unable to identify the deceased child.
Forensic anthropologists determined that the child was between 10 1/2 months and 3 years old when she died.
Investigative genetic genealogy have also determined that the child is half Chinese or from neighboring countries along the southern border and also of North African heritage.
OPP released a 3D approximation in hopes someone might recognize the little girl.
In a media statement, OPP Detective Inspector Shawn Glassford said “It’s difficult to understand how someone could throw away a child like that. We are hopeful that the 3D facial approximation will spark someone’s memory and help us identify this little girl. We want to give this child her name back.”
A reward of $50,000 is also available for anyone who may be able to identify the child.