Bones May Be Those of Missing 2-Year-Old Arizona Toddler Sylar Newton

Aug. 11, 2010— -- Skeletal remains found in a gully in northern Arizona are believed to the that of a 2-year-old toddler who vanished from a campsite during the night last month.

The remains were discovered by a relative of the boy, Sylar Newton. The person, who has not been identified, had been frequently searching the area since Sylar vanished, and although he is not considered a suspect, he is being questioned by police.

According to Yavapai County Sheriff's spokesman Dwight D'Evelyn, the remains were found less than two miles from the campground were Newton was last seen on July 25.

"The remains were located at the bottom of a wash and likely came to rest in this area due to recentflash flooding. At this time, the remains are believed to be that of Sylar Newton, but finalconfirmation is still pending," D'Evelyn said in press release.

The remains were scattered across the area they were discovered and according to D'Evelyn it will be several days before a cause of death has been determined.

"There is an autopsy today, but since it involves DNA and toxicology it is going to take several days,' D'Evelyn said.

Yavapai County Sheriff's Capt. David Rhodes said searchers had scoured the area for weeks. It appears as if someone attempted to conceal the remains Rhodes said.

"Somebody didn't want us to find him," Rhodes told a news conference Tuesday.

Newton has been missing since July 25, when he was camping with his custodial mother Christina Priem, her children and her mother, police said.

According to police reports, Sylar was last seen by Christina around 12:30 a.m. inside the tent she was sharing with her mother Nancy Collins, 57, as well as Priem's 12-year-old daughter. Priem's 14-year-old son was sleeping in an adjacent tent with a friend according to police.

Priem discovered Sylar missing around 1:45 a.m., according to police. Investigators searched for about a week and last announced that they believed the toddler was kidnapped and may not be alive, calling the search a "criminal investigation."

"We received information that led us to the belief that Sylar's disappearance was most likely not an accident," Rhodes said Tuesday.

Sylar Newton Disappearance Now a Criminal Investigation

Police have not named any suspects in the case. D'Evelyn said both Priem and Newton's biological mother, Charity Newton, have been cooperating with investigators.

"It's a criminal case, we suspect foul play. Finding these remains is really a critical piece of evidence for us," D'Evelyn said.

If the remains are in fact those of Sylar Newton, he will be the second 2-year-old found in that area in a week, after authorities discovered the body of Emmett Trapp last Wednesday less than a mile from his home.

Although there are striking similarities in the two disappearances and tragic outcomes, authorities have said they do not believe they are connected. Emmett Trapp simply wandered away from his home while his mother napped before succumbing to the elements police said, and Sylar Newton's disappearance appears to be much more sinister.

"It's hard to cope with," Rhodes said.

"It's been a long two weeks," D'Evelyn said about the back to back discoverys of Trapp and Newton.

"We want to find out what happened to little Sylar, and anbody who is repsonsible bring them to justice," he said.