The child's body found wrapped in a blanket and stuffed in a suitcase alongside Interstate 190 yesterday has been identified as missing Fitchburg 5-year-old Jeremiah Oliver, authorities announced today.
Worcester County District Attorney Joesph D. Early Jr. confirmed Oliver's body was positively identified. He added that "The autopsy report is not complete." No further information was released.
Oliver's body "was wrapped in a blanket-type object" and "packed in a suitcase, dufflebag type material," Early told reporters yesterday afternoon. He did not say how authorities were led to the scene.
The little boy's disappearance and death has led to increased scrutiny of Massachusetts' Department of Children and Families. When Oliver initially went missing, DCF officials admitted that a social worker assigned to Oliver's family did not make regular visits or keep track of the boy. Jeremiah Oliver had been missing since September, but authorities weren’t alerted to his disappearance until December, when his sister informed school officials.
DCF Commissioner Olga Roche issued a statement after Jeremiah's identity was confirmed today.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Jeremiah Oliver. The Department is grateful for the dedication of the District Attorney and law enforcement partners leading this investigation and will continue to assist in any way we can. DCF continues to focus on caring for Jeremiah’s siblings to ensure they are receiving the support they need during this very difficult time.”
Gov. Deval Patrick also weighed in.
"I am so grateful to the State Police and others in law enforcement for their tenacity in finding Jeremiah, and so sad that he was not found alive," he said. "We now look to the District Attorney to prosecute this crime to the fullest extent of the law."
The boy's mother, Elsa Oliver, was indicted on charges of permitting bodily injury to a child, three counts of reckless endangerment of a child and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Her boyfriend, Alberto Sierra, has been charged with a number of offenses, including kidnapping a child, four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, three counts of reckless endangerment of a child and indecent assault and battery on a child.
Both were arrested in December and indicted last month.
