Toddler found dead on Deer Island may have spent time in New England
Investigators seeking to identify the body of a young girl found on Deer Island in June may have a new lead on where she spent time before her death.
A recent test from a lab in Utah suggests the child, known only as “Baby Doe,’’ “may have spent time in any of several New England States,’’ according to a joint statement from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, Massachusetts State Police, and Winthrop police. The results are preliminary and require further study, according to the DA’s office.
The test, a stable isotope analysis, compared residual oxygen isotopes in the toddler’s hair and teeth with known levels in drinking water across various geographic locations. Officials said scientists have not yet checked the girl’s information against drinking water samples from other countries, so investigators are not drawing any specific conclusions about the new results.
Previous tests of pollen samples suggested the child spent “a significant amount of time’’ in the Boston area before her death.
“In light of this evidence and the fact that her body did not show signs of advanced decomposition when it was found, investigators believe she died somewhere in the area rather than in a distant location,’’ the DA’s office said.
A woman walking her dog found the body along the Western shore of Deer Island on June 25. Officials believe her to be about 4 years old, with brown hair and brown eyes, weighing about 30 pounds.
Since she was found, police have received about 150 unique leads about her identity and have conducted and coordinated “well-being’’ checks in 35 states and internationally.
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