Authorities are hoping that new information will lead to the identification of a young John Doe in Sharkey County.
When contractors discovered a skull in a Sharkey County creek in January 2014, no other remains were found alongside it, leaving officials with few answers. Initial analysis suggested that the boy was between 5 to 7 years old and may have been deceased for several years, but the investigation continued.
Now, The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation have partnered with Othram, a DNA testing company, to uncover additional information about the child.
In January 2021, preliminary DNA test results from Othram now indicate that the young boy was African American and that he likely has relatives from Sharkey County, Mississippi or the surrounding areas. NCMEC additionally coordinated carbon dating through the University of Arizona on the skeletal remains which suggests the young boy was born between 2000-2004 and likely died between 2007-2012.
The facial reconstruction (seen above) completed by a NCMEC Forensic Artist show what the child would have looked like while he was alive.
Anyone that has information that might assist the case is encouraged to contact the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation 601-987-1530 or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678/1-800-THE-LOST.
The child is being featured on NCMEC’s Help ID Me Facebook page.
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