Ohio Mother Arrested After 3-Year-Old Son Found in Garbage Dump, Police Say

Camilia Terry had reported her son missing Sunday.

ByABC News
November 27, 2012, 3:57 AM

Nov. 27, 2012— -- A Cleveland woman has been arrested in the death of her 3-year-old son after police found what they believe is the body of the young boy at a waste-treatment plant, according to authorities.

Cleveland police said Monday they're holding Camilia Terry, 20, at Cuyahoga County Jail to await charges in the death of her son, Emilliano Terry.

"We come here with heavy hearts, I'm sure you understand. Today, at approximately 4 o'clock, a body of a small child matching the description of Emilliano Terry was discovered at a waste treatment plant in Oakwood Village," Cleveland Police Chief Michael McGrath said, according to ABC News affiliate WEWS-TV.

"So, in other words, right now, currently, we are treating this as a homicide, rather than a missing person or abduction."

An autopsy will be performed later today to determine how Terry died.

Camilia Terry told police her son vanished Sunday just after 5 p.m. as she was pushing one of her other children on a swing in Kossuth Park.

"I'm calling you because I'm at a park and my son is missing," Terry told a 911 dispatcher.

"How long has it been since you last saw him?" a 911 operator asked.

"Fifteen minutes ago. I was looking everywhere for him, I can't find him," the mother of three told the dispatcher while sobbing.

Police and the FBI began searching for the boy Sunday. A volunteer group, the Guardian Angels, searched garages and abounded homes in the area, according to WEWS.

While the authorities where in Terry's neighborhood Monday, they noticed a garbage truck leaving the family's home, Det. Ed Tomba told reporters at a news conference Monday evening.

Police took down the truck's information and contacted Waste Management Inc. FBI agents went to the facility and found a body believed to be Emilliano inside trash bags, according to police.

Cleveland Police Cmd. Deon McCauley said Camilia Terry's story changed during questioning Monday.

"Some time during the day, of today, the statements of Miss. Terry became very inconsistent and we decided that we would further investigate her involvement in this situation," he said.

Officers told WEWS that Terry has not admitted to any crime. Her other two children are now with Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services.

Cleveland police said they plan to search the family's home again, according to WEWS.