717UFNC - Unidentified Female

Reconstruction of the decedent by NCMEC, Sergio Soto and Barbara Martin-Bailey.

Date of Discovery: December 26, 1983
Location of Discovery: Northampton County, North Carolina
Estimated Date of Death: 1983
State of Remains: Partial skeletal
Cause of Death: Undetermined

Physical Description

Estimated Age: 4-7 years old
Race: Black or Black with White admixture
Sex: Female
Height: Unknown
Weight: Unknown
Hair Color: Unknown
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: She endured some type of trauma to her face that was healing prior to her death. The trauma could have resulted from an accident or abuse. Her bones also revealed that she might have suffered from chronic ear infections. Left inferior border and right gonial area of mandible have bony remodeling, possible due to prior injury. Healed fracture of inferior left nasal. Possible otitis media of both external auditory meati.

Identifiers

Dentals: Available; has two fillings. Both restorations are occlusal.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Available.

Clothing & Personal Items

Clothing: None.
Jewelry: None.
Additional Personal Items: None.

Circumstances of Discovery

The child's skull was found by hunters in the woods behind a rest area along Interstate 95 in Northampton County, about a mile from the Virginia border. Postcranial skeleton recovered, but with significant scavenging damage to most long bones, ribs, and vertebrae.

Chemical isotope testing indicated the child was likely native to North Carolina.

Investigating Agency(s)

Agency Name: North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
Agency Contact Person: Clyde Gibbs
Agency Phone Number: 1-919-743-9077
Agency E-Mail: clyde.gibbs(at)dhhs.nc.gov
Agency Case Number: 83-844

Agency Name: Northampton County Sheriff’s Office
Agency Contact Person: Det. Alan Roye
Agency Phone Number: 1-252-534-2611
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: Unknown

NCIC Case Number: Unknown
NamUs Case Number: 2196
NCMEC Case Number: 1182692
Former Hot Case Number: 1697

Information Source(s)

NamUs
NCMEC
University of South Florida

Admin Notes

Added: 5/22/09; Last Updated: 1/13/20