A man is in custody and facing charges in connection with the disappearance of a 5-month-old boy, said police. Crews were searching a landfill for the baby.
According to a report by WGN, in Zion, Illinois on Wednesday, August 21, 2013, Kiesha Summeries reported her son, Joshua Summeries, missing. Police said the suspect, 26-year-old Demetries Thorpe, admitted to suffocating the baby and disposing of his body.
Police said Thorpe confessed to holding his hand over the boy’s mouth for about 15-seconds until the baby stopped breathing. Thorpe then put the body in a backpack and placed it in a garbage can, according to WGN’s report.
During a news conference, Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim said the suspect lied to Kiesha Summeries about her son’s whereabouts saying the baby had been abducted. Surveillance cameras caught images of Thorpe disposing of the backpack in a Dumpster, said the report.
WGN reported that Zion police asked residents to check their garbage cans for the missing baby. On Friday police began searching in a nearby landfill.
A candlelight vigil was held on Saturday in support of Joshua Summeries’ family. The baby’s father, Clarence Summeries, thanked the Zion community for their love and support.
“I just want to say, I love you son, always and forever,” said Clarence Summeries.
Kiesha Summeries thanked law enforcement for their diligence in the search for her son.
Thorpe has been charged with first degree murder and is being held on $5 million bond, according to the report.
