Mississippi woman arrested after 4-year-old's remains found in closet

GREENVILLE, Miss. (TCD) -- Police arrested a woman over the weekend after finding the remains of a young child in a closet.

According to a news release from the Greenville Police Department, on Sunday, Jan. 7, at approximately 4:30 p.m., officers responded to the 2000 block of Johnnie Lane to perform a welfare check on a 4-year-old child. The juvenile's parent told officers they had not seen the child for weeks and came to the residence to speak with a relative who was looking after the victim.

Police said they were directed to a closet where the body of the young child was reportedly found. The remains have been transported to a crime lab for an autopsy and further evaluation.

Police identified 34-year-old Catrica Hardy as the primary suspect and arrested her in connection with the child's death. She was charged with manslaughter and child deprivation of necessaries with substantial harm.

Hardy remains held in the Washington County Correctional Facility.

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• Body of 4yr old found, local woman in custody - Greenville Police Department