MEMPHIS, Tenn. − Human remains found in Memphis Thursday night are believed to be that of Sequoia Samuels, a 4-year-old who went missing from her family’s home earlier that day, police said Friday.
Samuels’ mother, Brittany Jackson, and Jaylon Hobson, Jackson’s alleged boyfriend, have been detained and charged, the Memphis Police Department said.
Jackson is charged with aggravated child neglect, abuse of a corpse and filing a false offense report. Hobson has been charged with filing a false offense report.
“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,” Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis said in the statement. “Both individuals have been detained by MPD for these charges at this time.”
Samuels went missing from home in middle of night; spotted on doorbell camera
According the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) the child, Sequoia Samuels was reported missing on Thursday from her home in Memphis’s Uptown area just north of downtown.
Samuels, described by Memphis police as 3-feet tall with a feeding tube on the left side of her stomach, was captured on a nearby doorbell camera in her neighborhood walking the streets alone about 3 a.m. local time.
Her mother reportedly called the police around 6:30 a.m. when she discovered her daughters missing.
At a Thursday evening press conference, Memphis Police Public Information Officer Sgt. Louis Brownlee told reporters officers had not found any evidence to suggest Samuels was kidnapped. MPD Public Information Officer Theresa Carlson said there was no indication that Samuels did anything other than walk away.
Police have spelled Samuels’ first name as “Saquoia” and “Sequoia” in various posts.
Search for missing man in Chicago:Man vanishes after attending King Gizzard concert, prompting missing persons report
Dozens missing after boat capsizes:At least 106 dead, 144 rescued after boat capsizes in Nigeria
Coroner will work to identify person and cause of death
According to a tweet from Memphis police, the investigation remains ongoing.
A medical examiner is expected to work to identify who the remains belong to and the person’s cause of death.
The TBI could not immediately be reached for comment.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Memphis police or the TBI.
‘She touched everybody’s heart’
Samuel Bass, Samuels’ uncle, said the four-year-old was “an angel” who smiled often.
“She’s very curious, but she’s an angel. She touched everybody’s heart,” he said.
Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.
