MARIETTA, Ga. — The family of a 2-year-old boy who was found dead in the woods issued its first statement on Wednesday morning.
Messiah Harris, who was about about to turn three in a few weeks, was found dead in the woods near the apartment complex on Ridge Run on Friday. Officials have not released a cause of death.
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His mother’s boyfriend, Dairon Keith, is accused of concealing Messiah’s death and making false statements after initially reporting him missing. Police say they later learned the child was dead before Keith called 911.
Channel 2’s Tom Jones heard from Messiah’s family for the first time on Wednesday as they held a news conference on Marietta Square. Messiah’s aunt got choked up talking about what a happy child Messiah was.
“He loved to go to the pool, swimming. He loved animals. And dinosaurs. It was just his favorite thing,” Tiara Redding said.
The family did not want to talk about Keith, but said they want justice. Police say this is still an active investigation and charges could be upgraded.
Keith remains in the Cobb County jail.
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