A body found amid the days-long search for a missing Indiana toddler has been identified as 14-month-old Shaylyn Ammerman and her death has been ruled a homicide, autopsy results confirmed Friday.
According to Owen County Coroner Stan Frank, Shaylyn's cause of death was ruled a homicide by asphyxiation.
Authorities said a body was found during a search for the missing child Thursday in Spencer, Indiana. Indiana State Police told NBC Chicago the body of a baby matching Shaylyn's description was discovered in a remote area near the White River northeast of Gosport.
A 22-year-old man from Spencer was taken into custody and is being held in connection with the case, police said. No charges had been filed as of Thursday night.
Officials said the investigation into Shaylyn's case remained ongoing Friday.
"Moments like these cast a dark shadow on our commitment to protect and serve the citizens of this county," Owen County Sheriff Leonard "Sam" Hobbs wrote on Facebook Friday. "However, for every person who commits an act of evil in this world, hundreds step up and come together to fight it with good. I have witnessed this myself in the last few days. We will not be deterred in our efforts to stop crime and bring to justice anybody who preys upon an innocent person."
Shaylyn, who would have been 15 months old next week, was last seen late Tuesday, when her grandmother told police she checked on her after putting the girl to bed around 10:30 p.m.
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“She was laying in her bed sound asleep and then we went to bed and we woke up and she was gone,” Tamera Morgan, Shaylyn’s grandmother, told NBC affiliate WTHR.
Indiana State Police had said they interviewed several witnesses, including the family of the infant and “persons of interest.” They had searched a number of vehicles and homes and canvassed areas in Owen County near 489 W. Jefferson St., where the girl went missing.
The toddler’s father believes his daughter was abducted from the home.
“I have no idea where, I’m thinking somebody that has a big grudge over my family,” Justin Ammerman told WTHR. “I don’t know what kind of grudge would have against my family, I mean my family is the most peaceful people in the world.”
Investigators told WTHR there were reports of a party at the house the night Shaylyn went missing, but the family has denied that claim.
Multiple law enforcement agencies were assisting in the search.
