Oakland homicide detectives investigating death of 2-year-old boy
OAKLAND -- Homicide detectives in Oakland are trying to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of a two-year-old boy whose body was discovered in Napa County last week.
"This is a tragic case of a two-year-old child, this should have not happened," Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong said at a briefing Thursday.
According to the chief, Oakland police received a call from San Pablo police around 2:30 a.m. on December 23 of a possible homicide of a two-year-old child.
Armstrong said a preliminary investigation revealed the child's death occurred in Oakland. Several hours later, Oakland detectives located the body of the boy, identified by family as Ja'Mari Madkins, in a rural area of Napa County.
"To be able to within the same day respond to Napa County and actually recover this two-year-old child is a testament to their tireless effort to solve this case," the chief said.
Armstrong would not give specifics about where in Napa County the child's body was found, but would only say it was an outdoor location.
An individual connected to the child's death was identified and arrested with the assistance of San Pablo police. The person's identity has not been released.
Armstrong said Thursday the person was being held on unrelated charges and that police are working with the Alameda County District Attorney's office to determine charges in connection with the incident.
When asked about the person's connection to the two-year-old, the chief said the individual "had a close connection to the child" but would not elaborate further.
The chief said Oakland Police were in contact with the child's family and grandmother.
An autopsy is being performed by the Alameda County coroner. The case remains under investigation with additional details to be released at a later date.
Anyone with information regarding the homicide is asked to contact the Homicide Section at (510) 238-3821 or the TIP LINE at 238-7950.