BRYAN, Texas – Human remains were recovered during the search for 3-year-old Rayven Shields, officials with the Bryan Police Department said.
Over the last week, Bryan police had searched the home where the child lived. Bryan's police chief said in a press conference Tuesday that the girl's mother, Virginia Adams, had provided different stories on the child's whereabouts.
Yesterday during another search, Chief Eric Buske said a cadaver dog signaled that there might be remains in the family garden.
That's when authorities made a gruesome discovery.
"We conducted a meticulous excavation of the garden. Buried in the garden we located decomposed remains that were consistent with the size of a child,” said Chief Buske. “At this time our efforts are focused on positively identifying the remains and the murder investigation."
Virginia Adams, Rayven Shield's mother, is currently in jail. She is accused of refusing to comply with a court order to hand Rayven over to Child Protective Services.
Adams was arrested and charged with interference with child custody, police said.
She is being held on a $75,000 bond at the Brazos County Jail, records show.
Initially, police thought Rayven had been missing since July 27, but now they think she has been missing since June.