16 June 2023 , 14:59
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The mum of a four-year-old girl reported missing has been charged and detained after police made the horrific discovery of the tragic child's remains.
Sequoia Samuels was reported missing after last being seen on video surveillance in the 200 block of Caldwell Avenue, Memphis, at around 3am on Thursday morning.
It was noticed that she was missing at around 6am when a family member said they woke up to find the door to their home open and Sequoia missing.
Sequoia's mum, Brittany Jackson, 24, is being charged with aggravated child neglect, abuse of a corpse and a false offense report, after police found her remains around 11.50pm that day.
Her reported boyfriend, Jaylon Hobson, is being charged with false offense report.
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Both have been detained by the Memphis Police Department. Jackson was reportedly booked into the Shelby County Jail on Friday morning.
Sequoia's remains were found near the apartment she lived in (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation)In a statement, Police Chief Cerelyn 'CJ' Davis confirmed: "After several hours of a relentless effort to find missing child Sequoia Samuels, late last night MPD discovered a body believed to be the child's remains.
"The remains were found in close proximity to the apartment where Sequoia resided with her family; however, a positive identity has not been confirmed at this time."
On Thursday afternoon, Sequoia's aunt and uncle spoke to the media. Reverand Mattie Brown, Sequoia's aunt, said the family is "not [doing] well at all", but support from the community has meant a lot.
A huge search effort was launched after Sequoia was reported missing (actionnews5)Sequoia's uncle, Samuel Bass, described her as "an angel" who smiled often. "She's very curious, but she's an angel," he said. "She touched everybody's heart."
Sequoia is said to have special needs which required the use of a feeding tube, with her great uncle telling FOX13 that she was born premature and needs her medication.
Chief Davis said: "This has been an emotional time for our employees and our community as we worked relentlessly together to find her. We are beyond heartbroken this morning and are praying for the strength for everyone involved as we investigate this tragic loss."
Sequoia was reportedly born premature and had a feeding tube (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation)He said the investigation is still ongoing, and anyone with any additional information should pass it on to police "immediately."
After Sequoia was noticed to have disappeared, a full-scale search was launched. Police taped off a search grid spanning multiple blocks around the area, with a helicopter searching from above.
K-9 units were also brought in along with other agencies and scores of volunteers and family members. An endangered child alert was put out for Sequoia, however, a lack of kidnapping evidence prevented police from putting out an Amber Alert.
Mum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog
Nearby residents were being encouraged to check not only their gardens, but also inside vehicles and shaded areas as temperatures climbed in Memphis on Thursday. warm temperatures increased concerns for Sequoia who was known to be medically vulnerable.