Authorities discover body of 2-year-old girl: 'This is not the outcome anyone had hoped for'

Detroit — Three days after a 2-year-old girl disappeared from Lansing, spawning a massive cross-state search that had families and authorities begging the public for tips and hours after a man linked to her alleged kidnapping faced charges, Wynter Cole Smith's body was found Wednesday, authorities said.

Lansing police confirmed that at roughly 6:50 p.m., her body was found by the FBI in an area near Coleman A. Young International Airport on the city's east side. The body of a young child was found in a field near Marcus and Erwin in the Detroit Police Department's Seventh Precinct, a source with knowledge of the development told The Detroit News on Wednesday night.

Lansing police Chief Ellery Sosebee confirmed during a briefing Wednesday night the investigation had moved to a homicide probe with the discovery of her body.

"I want to remind everyone that this is an open investigation," he said.

Sosebee added he couldn't provide more information because it would interfere with the investigation.

"This is not the outcome anyone had hoped for," Sosebee said. "And I promise law enforcement will see that the family gets the justice that they so deserve."

A few minutes later in Detroit, Devin Kowalski, acting special agent in charge of the FBI Detroit field office, also confirmed the finding during a news conference with Detroit police Chief James White.

He added: "... Our hearts go out to Wynter’s family.”

Kowalski said an FBI evidence response team was processing the scene where Wynter was found.

"This will be a thorough and deliberate crime scene investigation. We will take time to carefully collect evidence that we need to help bring the person responsible to justice," he said. "We ask you to understand that we cannot provide further information about the investigation because we want to put our best foot forward and preserve the integrity of the prosecution."

Wynter's alleged kidnapper, Rashad Trice, 26, was arraigned from his hospital bed earlier Wednesday and charged with beating and sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend before police said he kidnapped the girl, the victim's daughter.

Ingham County authorities charged Trice with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, home invasion, aggravated domestic violence and other crimes. Trice, who is being held without bond, is scheduled for a probable cause conference at 8:30 a.m. July 13 and a preliminary examination at 8:30 a.m. July 20 before 54-A District Court Judge Kristen Simmons.

Sosebee said law enforcement officials were continuing to investigate and would determine "the appropriate new charges."

"These charges arise from the brutal physical and sexual assault that took place at an apartment on Beaujardin Drive on July 2, 2023," said Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane in a statement Wednesday. "The investigation as to any additional charges related to the disappearance of Wynter Cole-Smith is ongoing."

Trice was charged as a violent habitual fourth offender. According to Michigan Department of Corrections records, he is on probation from an August 2021 incident in which he pleaded guilty to five felonies, including assaulting/resisting a police officer and felonious assault. He's scheduled to remain on probation for those crimes until January, state records show.

Wynter was reported missing from her Lansing apartment at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday, after police say her mother was sexually assaulted and stabbed by Trice. The alleged victim managed to stab Trice in the lower abdomen during the attack, Sosebee said.

Wynter's 1-year-old brother was in the apartment during the assault. Police said Trice took Wynter, stealing his ex-girlfriend's white 2013 Chevrolet Impala and driving toward Metro Detroit. An Amber Alert was issued, and police throughout Michigan were told to be on the lookout for the vehicle.

At 4:45 a.m. Monday, about five hours after Trice allegedly left the Lansing apartment with Wynter, St. Clair Shores police officers on patrol spotted the suspect's car driving on Harper near Nine Mile.

"The St. Clair Shores Police Officer attempted a traffic stop," police said. "The suspect fled from police, leading them on a short pursuit which ended near Little Mack and 10 Mile. The suspect came to a stop after colliding with another St. Clair Shores Police vehicle."

Eastpointe police officers, who regularly monitor police radio traffic from nearby communities, heard a call go out for help and joined in the chase, said Eastpointe police Lt. Alex Holish.

"During the chase, the suspect collided with a St. Clair Shores car," Holish said. "Our officers assisted with trying to arrest the suspect, who refused to get out of his car. The officers had to break the window to try to get him out; they didn't know if he was armed or not at that point, so they had him at gunpoint. He grabbed our officer's gun, but the officer was able to retain the weapon. A St. Clair Shores officer used his Taser on the subject, and he was taken into custody."

St. Clair Shores police said one of their officers received medical treatment for injuries sustained in the collision but was not hospitalized.

With Trice in custody, Sosebee said dozens of police officers continued to search for the missing girl. The FBI on Tuesday announced a $25,000 reward for tips to help find Wynter.

On Wednesday, dozens of police officers searched Lansing-area freeways for clues to the child's whereabouts. Volunteers and canine search-and-rescue teams donned safety vests and joined Lansing police on the search for Wynter along Interstate 96 eastbound between Lansing and Okemos.

"We've sent out two groups of 40 cops, with volunteers from departments throughout Ingham County and other areas," the chief said.

Meanwhile, some of Wynter's family handed out flyers near Seven Mile in Detroit to spur tips, said her grandfather, Almount Smith Sr. His son, Almount Jr., also known as Ajay, a football player for the University of Tennessee at Martin, is the girl's father.

"I've been walking around asking for prayers and everything," the elder Smith told The News before the body was discovered Wednesday. "I just want her to be found and come home safely."

News of Wynter's loss weighed on those who lived near the scene where she was found.

Tashina Jones grew up in the neighborhood and said she hoped to hold a candlelight vigil there Thursday evening to honor the little girl.

“It’s sickening to see a baby lose her life like that,” Jones said. “You see this all the time just like so many women and so many kids are being killed now.”

Local activist Oliver Gantt called the neighborhood “a dumping ground.”

“It’s really hard to find words, right now, for something like this," he said. "Something as tragic as this, an innocent baby.”

ghunter@detroitnews.com

(313) 222-2134

Twitter: @GeorgeHunter_DN

Staff Writers Mark Hicks and Jakkar Aimery contributed to this story.