Investigators discovered and identified the decomposing body of a Kansas girl in the backyard of her adopted home, where she had been slowly decomposing since her death four years ago, investigators said. announced.
Rose Hill police discovered the child's body earlier this month while responding to an unrelated call at the family's home, and on Friday, the department announced the body's identity as Kennedy Jean Schroer. In November 2020.
The Sedgwick County Forensic Center, which prepared the identification, was unable to determine the cause of death because of the decomposition of the body. Police said a preliminary forensic report showed no visible injuries.
Officers went to Mr Kennedy's family home on September 10 to respond to a report that an adult had barricaded himself in and may have threatened to harm himself. The Topeka Capital Journal reported.
According to local newspapers, Rose Hill Police Chief Taylor Parlier said that while they were at the home, there was “information that there had been a previous homicide” and that human remains were found in the backyard.
Police have yet to make any arrests in the case, prompting calls for justice from Kennedy's biological mother.
“We understand that many members of the public may be confused as to why no arrests were made in this case.”
Made. That is completely understandable,” the Rose Hill Police Department said in a statement. press release.
“What we want to say is we have one chance to gather as much information as possible, find out what happened to this child and tell her story. We want to hold people accountable. I understand the sentiment, but we need to get it right and not do it quickly.”
The department says releasing too much information could make it appear that some people who weren't involved were involved. Police said so far Kennedy's adoptive parents have met with investigators.
Christa Helm claims to be Kennedy's biological mother. told KSN She said she lost custody of her three daughters in 2018, and that all of her daughters were taken in by the Schroers in 2019.
Helm had hoped her children would have the opportunity to pursue a better life outside of her custody, but she is still trying to justify why things went so wrong.
“Kansas has failed my children,” Helm told KSN. “I hope they get the proper treatment and the love they need from a real family where they belong.” Ta.
Helm took her fight to Parlier, saying she gave such a strong case that the entire bureau feels forever tied to Kennedy and her investigation.
“We are all human beings. People in uniform tend to look like robots, their senses numb over the years. No one involved in this case is numb to these events. I promise you that,” Parlier told KSN.
“This has been said many times, but it's not normal for Rose Hill, it's not normal for New York City or Philadelphia or Chicago. It’s making an impact.”
rosehill school district Confirmed Kennedy started kindergarten in 2020, but revealed that her adoptive parents pulled her away to explore homeschooling.
The future custody of Kennedy's two sisters is still up in the air as the investigation continues. Helm said the family is looking for a lawyer and wants to bring the two home.
