2-year-old found dead in Wyoming dumpster; suspect in custody

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (TCD) --

A missing 2-year-old boy was found dead in a dumpster on Friday afternoon, Feb. 19, and a suspect in the child's death is in custody.

Cheyenne Police officers responded to a report of a missing 2-year-old at 1 p.m. on the 500 block of Desmet Drive on February 19. Officers searched the surrounding area and found the boy’s body in a nearby dumpster, according to police. The Casper Star-Tribune reports the child was found in a dumpster at an apartment complex.

The boy’s cause of death was not immediately released. He was identified as Athian Rivera.

Cheyenne resident Wyatt Lamb, 27, was taken into custody at a Desmet Drive residence about 6:15 p.m. the same day on an unrelated felony warrant for failure to appear, and a misdemeanor parole violation warrant.

Tuesday, Cheyenne Police announced a probable-cause affidavit was issued to the Laramie County District Attorney’s Office for additional charges of aggravated child abuse and murder. Police said the investigation was ongoing.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports that according to court documents, Lamb was charged in February 2020 with felony strangulation of a household member, misdemeanor property destruction and interfering with a peace officer.

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